Maui Veterans Highway reopens after wildfire forces closure
COURTESY MAUI FIRE DEPARTMENT
Charred land is seen following a brush fire at the Maui Veterans Highway.
KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Smoke is visible from a brush fire that prompted road closures on Maui.
UPDATE: 9:55 p.m.
Maui Fire Department officials report that the fire is 90% contained.
4:55 p.m.
Maui Veterans Highway has reopened in both directions after a brush fire closed it and several other roads this afternoon, county officials said.
The highway was reopened around 4:40 p.m., according to Maui Emergency Management Agency.
The Maui Fire Department said the wildfire was 70% contained as of about 3:35 p.m. and was not advancing after burning about 35 acres. Multiple fire crews and Air 1 responded to the wildfire, which was being pushed by winds up to 25 mph, county officials said.
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No evacuations have been ordered.
The Maui Police Department closed Veterans Highway from North Kihei Road to Hansen Road shortly after 2:30 p.m., and Maui Emergency Management Agency sent out alerts on the brush fire and traffic closure.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
A brush fire has led to road closures on Maui.
Maui County said in a press release this afternoon that affected areas are Veterans Highway, North Kihei Road and Piilani Highway, and Hansen Road at Veterans Highway.
Smoke is visible and there have been no evacuations ordered at this time.
An alert asks that motorists avoid the area.
