Dozens of Big Island residents were evacuated this afternoon after a brush fire came within feet of a Kona subdivision.
Officials say the fire burned an estimated 35 acres.
In addition to evacuations, there were also road closures.
The thick smoke could be seen from miles away.
The fire got close to the University of the Nations Kona campus, off Kuakini Highway.
This is video shot by the staff at Grassroots News, the school's media training program.
"It got right up to our property line in many many places in the upper part of the U of N campus between the Kamehameha Schools property and ours," said Allan Robbins, University of the Nations.
Allan Robbins is in charge of the school's Community Emergency Response Team.
He says about about 80 people from their campus helped to create firebreaks.
"We had a meeting actually on Friday that the grass was so dry and like a tinderbox that it was so much at a risk," said Robbins.
The fire broke out just after two in the afternoon.
"Lots of smoke, lots of smoke. It affected a lot of us drivers because it's totally bumper to bumper," said Kalani Pe'a of Kona.
Authorities closed parts of various highways and streets, including Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Kuakini Highway, and Hualalai Road near Nani Kailua Drive.
"It took me about an hour to get home. It usually takes just 5-10 minutes," saud Pe'a.
People who live in the Pines subdivision were evacuated.
"The fire came pretty close and threatened a few homes but we were able to knock it down and keep any damage to zero, no damage to any of our structures," said Hawaii County Assistant Fire Chief Aaron Arbles.
Many seniors were also evacuated from the Regency at Hualalai retirement community.
"Roughly 40 people were evacuated and transported to the old Kona airport gym area for the time being," said Arbles.
Those seniors were allowed to return home this evening. The emergency shelter closed around 9pm.
All roads are back open again.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Crews will remain at the scene overnight to monitor conditions.
KHON2 News would like to thank: Grassroots News, Allan Robbins, Kalani Pe'a, Tyler Kim, Bradley Main, Vince Mott, Mark Chesler, and Andrea Gutierrez for their video and photos of the fire.
