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Maui firefighters contain brush fire near Paia

UPDATE: Today 8:30 a.m.

Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety today reported the Paia brush fire has been 100% contained as of 11 p.m. Saturday.

Firefighters are mopping up hotspots and patrolling the perimeter throughout the day. An estimated 370 acres of brush were burned as there was no increase in the acreage burned.

“MFD would like to thank our community partners for their assistance with firefighting operations; State DOT ARFF, Mahi Pono, and Goodfellow Bros,” Maui Fire Services Chief Rylan Yatsushiro said in an email.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Saturday 9 p.m.

The brush fire mauka of Lower Paia Beach Park is now considered 90% contained, the Maui Fire Department reported.

MFD reported the progress at around 8:10 p.m. The fire initially burned an estimated 370 acres of brush, which is a correction from the department’s previous report that it had burned 30 acres. MFD updated its estimate after GPS mapping the burn area.

Firefighters will remain on the scene throughout the night to further secure the fire.

7:06 p.m.

Maui firefighters are responding to a brush fire near Lower Paia Beach Park that was 30 acres large when initially reported.

The Maui Fire Department reported at around 3:40 p.m. today that it is fighting the fire mauka of the park, also known as Baby Park. The fire department said it was 0% contained at the time.

Five engines, three tankers, two helicopters were deployed to fight the fire, MFD said. Water tankers and heavy machinery from Mahi Pono and state Department of Transportation crews have also responded.

MFD said the fire was moving “rapidly” during steady winds, which it reported at 10-20 mph.

At around the same time, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for Sunday because of gusty trade winds that could produce “extreme fire behavior” around the state. The warning applies to all the islands and is in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

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