Firefighters today contained about 40 percent of a stubborn wildfire that has been burning on the south slopes of Haleakala for two days, Maui firefighters said.

The fire burned about 5,300 acres and crept higher upslope since Tuesday afternoon, said Maui Fire Departments spokesman Edward Taomoto.

Six helicopters were involved in the operation today. Five private helicopters and one Hawaii Air National Guard helicopter were making water drops, while eight bulldozers were cutting firebreaks around the fire.

Firefighters were also using six water tankers to shuttle water to the scene for the air operation, and firefighters on foot walked around the perimeter with hand tools to battle the blaze.

The fire started about 5:40 p.m. Monday aft