NA’ALEHU, Hawaii – A runaway brush fire was reported in Ka’u Monday afternoon, and residents are being advised to evacuate Green Sands and Mark Twain Estates subdivisions. The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at Na’alehua Community Center for residents evacuated from their homes.

UPDATE: 09:00 p.m. HST

The Hawaii Fire Department reports that the runaway brush fire in the Green Sands Subdivision in Ka’u continues to burn however is 50% contained at this time.

Fire and emergency personnel are on scene and working to extinguish the fire and will remain on scene throughout the night. Residents are allowed to return to their homes however advised to expect smoky conditions throughout the night. The Naalehu Community Center will remain open as an evacuation center for those who may wish to remain out of the fire area. All highways and major roadways remain open however some roads within the subdivisions are closed and limited to local traffic only. Hawaii County Civil Defense

UPDATE: 07:06 p.m. HST

Kaalualu Road, Green Sands Subdvn is open to traffic. Pele St. & Mark Twain St. between Kaalualu Rd and Kahili Place remains closed.Hawaii County Police alert

UPDATE: 04:55 p.m. HST

Hawaii News Now reports one home has been destroyed by the fire, and a total of about 15 acres have burned, according to the Assistant Fire Chief Gantry Andrade. No injuries are reported.

UPDATE: 04:15 p.m. HST

The Hawaii Fire Department reports that the runaway brush fire in the Green Sands Subdivision in Ka’u continues to burn out of control. The fire is currently in the areas of Pele and Mark Twain Roads and Fire and emergency personnel are on scene and working to contain the fire. Residents have been advised to evacuate the subdivision due to high winds and heavy smoke conditions. The Naalehu Community Center remains opened as an evacuation center. All highways and major roadways remain open however some roads within the subdivisions are closed and motorists are advised to avoid the area.Hawaii County Civil Defense

UPDATE: 03:29 p.m. HST

Due to a brush fire, Kaalualu Road, Green Sands Subdivision remains closed to all traffic. Highway Rt. 11 is open to all traffic.Hawaii County Police alert

UPDATE: 12:30 p.m. HST

The Hawaii Fire Department reports a runaway brush fire in the Green Sands and Mark Twain Estates Subdivision in Ka’u. The fire is currently in the areas of Pele and Mark Twain Roads. Fire and emergency personnel are on scene and working to contain the fire. Residents are being advised to evacuate the subdivision due to high winds and heavy smoke conditions. The Naalehu Community Center has been opened as an evacuation center.Hawaii County Civil Defense

Police first issued this message at 12:15 p.m.

Due to a brush fire in the Green Sands Subdvn, Na’alehu, Ka’u. Kaalualu Rd will remained closed to traffic until further notice.Hawaii County Police alert