VIDEO: Brush Fire Burns 10 Acres Along Honoapiilani in Maalaea

Honoapiilani/Kuihelani Fire. Photo by Jen Ahia.

By Wendy Osher

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcLCIfvvJ84 /] (Updated: 6:35 p.m. 10/15/11)

A brush fire in Ma’alaea this afternoon burned an estimated 10 acres before it was brought under control.

The fire was first reported at 1:32 p.m. along the Honoapiilani Highway, directly across and mauka of the Kehalani junction.  Maui Fire Services Chief, Lee Mainaga said the blaze was brought under control by 3:22 p.m.

The fire forced the closure of the highway for about an hour due to reduced visibility in the area.

Crews from Engine 1, Engine 6 and Tanker 3 remained on scene to continue mop up operations.

There were no injuries reported and no structures damaged.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation and is undetermined.

(Posted: 2:43 p.m. 10/15/11)  Maui Firefighters are on the scene of a brush fire that was reported at 1:32 p.m. along the Honoapiilani Highway in Maalaea.

The fire burned an estimated four acres of brush along the Honoapiilani Highway between the Kuihelani Highway and North Kihei Road.

The Maui Fire Department dispatched crews from Engine 10, Tanker 10, Engine 6, Engine 1, Tanker 3, Tanker 14 and Battalion Chiefs 3 and 6.

The department’s Air-1 helicopter was also dispatched to conduct water drops in the area.

The smoke from the fire resulted in reduced visibility in the immediate area, and forced the closure of the highway for about an hour between 1:45 p.m. and 2:43 p.m.

There were no injuries reported, and no structures involved at last report.