Maui firefighters extinguished a brush fire this morning that burned about five acres in Kihei since Saturday afternoon.

The fire broke out on the mauka side of Pillani Highway near Kaonoulu Street at about 2:40 p.m. Saturday, a Maui Fire Department spokesman said.

Responding firefighters found a half-acre area on fire and the flames spreading quickly.

Additional crews responded, and firefighters used a helicopter to make water drops to prevent the fire from crossing over a gulch.

Firefighters contained the fire by 3:40 p.m. and left the scene about 7 p.m.

Crews made checks overnight and called the fire extinguished at 6:30 a.m. today. The cause was undetermined.