Maui firefighters working on hot spots along Honoapiilani Highway

The Maalaea mauka brush fire that consumed 4,100 acres has been 70% contained, Maui firefighters said.

Maui Fire Department’s Air 1 continues to make water drops, while ground crews remain on scene with three engines, a tanker and a team assigned to strategically burn areas to contain the spread of flames.

Earlier this morning, Maui firefighters were working on hot spots along Honoapiilani Highway, and focused on protecting the Maalaea area.

The state and MFD are using heavy equipment on Honoapiilani Highway at mile post 11, or King’s Trail, and the Ukumehame Firing Range is closed. The area will be used to build a bern to keep the fire from reaching the highway, and the road closure in the area is expected to last a couple of hours.

Maui’s Department of Parks and Recreation has also closed Papalaua campground until further notice due to damage from the wildfire. The department will reassess the campground on Monday.

The brush fire started Wednesday morning and grew to 4,100 acres by the evening, prompting evacuations and emergency road closures.

No injuries were reported, according to Maui County officials. No other evacuations were ordered Wednesday night, and emergency shelters at Maui High School and Princess Nahienaena Elementary School in Lahaina closed by 7 a.m. today.

The American Red Cross reported approximately 540 people took shelter at Maui High and 22 at Princess Nahienaena as of midnight Wednesday. The Maui Visitors Bureau provided inflatable mattresses for the shelters.

“I want to thank our fire and police departments for their tireless work in battling this brush fire and keeping our people safe,” Mayor Michael Victorino said in a news release. “We could not have done this without the help of all our County Departments as well as our private and governmental partners. We are very grateful for their efforts to take care of our community.”

At about 9:10 a.m. on Wednesday, Maui firefighters responded to the brush fire on the upper slopes of the mountain near the intersection of North Kihei Road and Honoapiilani Highway. Access to the fire was limited due to the extremely steep terrain, fire officials said.

At the time, the fire was about 5 acres in size and spreading uphill toward the turbines at Kaheawa wind farm. The employees at Kaheawa were told to evacuate, as were Pali trail hikers.

Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator Herman Andaya said the public should continue to watch for updates and notifications.

“There is still potential for flare-ups and road closures, especially as winds pick up later today,” he said in the news release. “The public is asked to remain vigilant and sign up for emergency alerts through Makaala.”

The public can sign up for Makaala Emergency Alerts online to receive updates.