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Gusty winds and steep terrain contributed to the rapid spread of a brush fire today along a hillside in Happy Valley in Wailuku, Maui.
The fire was reported at 2 p.m. and responding fire crews found the blaze moving dense brush and threatening homes on Mokuhau Road, Maika Street and Maunalei Place.
The fire was brought under control by 7:30 p.m. Fire officials estimated that up to 10 acres of brush had burned. However, there were no reports of injuries and no structures were damaged.
Investigators believe the fire was started by electrical power equipment that feeds a water department substation.
Firefighters planned to attend to hotspots and monitor the site overnight.
Meanwhile, Central Maui residents were being asked to conserve water because the fire may have damaged a well site, Maui County said.
The county’s Department of Water Supply said the fire affected one of the area’s primary wells.
Affected locations include Waihee, Waiehu, Happy Valley, Wailuku, Waikapu and Kahului.
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