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Maui County fire officials said a brush fire Wednesday in the Nakalele area scorched about 2 acres of heavy brush.
The fire was reported to the Kapalua Airport control tower by tour helicopters at about 10:50 a.m. Napili firefighters were on the scene at 11:12 a.m., the Maui Fire Department said in a news release. Brush was burning on the mauka side of the highway and across from the parking area for the Nakalele Blowhole, the Fire Department said.
A helicopter provided water drops to prevent tradewinds from spreading flames. The blaze was extinguished at 3 p.m.
There were no injuries. The cause is undetermined. Firefighters from Napili were assisted by a water tanker from Lahaina.
Also on Maui, Makawao firefighters extinguished a small shipping container fire Wednesday afternoon on Uakoko Place after it was ignited by a nearby meat smoker.
Firefighters said they responded at 1:48 p.m. to a report of smoke on Uakoko Place off Kokomo Road. Flames were coming from underneath and the inside of a 20-foot shipping container. According to the department, “the resident was trying to control the fire using a garden hose, but was having little affect.”
The container caught fire when the homeowner left a meat smoker unattended to have lunch, and a wood pallet under the smoker ignited. The flames spread to items stored under and inside the container. Damage was estimated at $500.
Tree trimming to close road on Kauai
Kauai officials announced the daylong closure of Maluhia Road from the Tree Tunnel to the Ala Kinoiki Road junction, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 26.
The Department of Public Works will be trimming trees and removing dead branches.
Traffic will be diverted to Piko, Omao and Koloa roads.
For more information, contact Scott Suga at 241-4844.
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