PO‘IPU — A couple hiking Saturday morning near Shipwreck’s Beach on the South Shore saw smoke coming from behind the cliff. When they went to check it out, they discovered a small brushfire, county spokesperson Mary Daubert said.

After unsuccessfully trying to extinguish the blaze themselves, the pair called dispatch at around 10:38 a.m. Engine 4 and Brush Truck 4 were told to meet the couple at the cul-de-sac by the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa.

However, when they got there the firefighters were unable to access the fire from that location so they had to drive to the parking lot at Shipwreck’s, Daubert said.

The firefighters then had to walk about a quarter mile to get to the brushfire. They carried backpacks with four gallons of water in each and were able to use that to put out the fire, along with a couple of shovels.

The fire was deemed under control at 11:24 a.m., Daubert said, and fully extinguished at 11:58 a.m.

About 300 square feet of brush burned in the blaze.