UPDATE: 65 Acre Manawainui Blaze Extinguished

Photo courtesy Kevin J. Olson and www.kevinjohnolsonphotography.com.

By Wendy Osher

(Update: 6:30 a.m. Mon., 7/15/13)

A 65-acre brush fire near Manawainui in Kaupō was called extinguished at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, July 15, 2013, officials said.

The fire was first reported on Saturday afternoon on the ʻUlupalakua side of Manawainui Gulch.

Fire officials say the fire burned brush on the mauka side of the highway up to the 15-hundred-foot elevation.

Resources utilized in fighting the fire included three helicopters, several tankers and three engine companies.

Firefighters gained 100% containment on the fire on Sunday afternoon with one crew remaining on scene overnight to monitor the area for flare-ups.

(Update: 5:30 p.m., Sun. 7/14/13)

Fire officials say the fire in Kaupō is now 100% contained, but not called extinguished yet.

Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga said resources are being released from the scene, with one crew to remain overnight to monitor the area for flare ups.

(Update: 6:30 a.m. Sun, 7/14/13)

A 65-acre brush fire in Kaupō remained at 65 acres overnight and is now 80% contained, fire officials said.

Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga said the fire “darkened down significantly” overnight.

Today, crews on scene include two helicopters, two tankers from the Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety, two tankers from the Public Works Department, and Engine-13 from Kula.

(Update: 8 p.m. Sat., 7/13/13)

Maui fire fighters are battling a large brush fire in the Kaupō area of South Maui that had burned an estimated 65-acres at last report, officials said.

Firefighters had gained 50% containment on the fire by 8 p.m., with fire activity still reported at the upper elevations, said Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

Due to the hazardous terrain, active firefighting will be suspended, but crews will continue to monitor the fire-ground throughout the night, said FS Chief Mainaga.

Fire officials said helicopter crews that were assisting in the fire fighting effort have since left the scene and will return at first light on Sunday morning.

The fire was first reported at 3:07 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2013 on the ʻUlupalakua side of Manawainui Gulch, near mile marker 27.5 of the Piʻilani Highway.

Fire officials said the fire was burning on the mauka side of the highway up to the 1,500-foot elevation.

Earlier today, there were three tankers on scene, as well as three helicopters, and three engine companies from Kula, Kahului, and Makawao.

No structures are impacted, officials said.

Photo courtesy Kevin J. Olson and www.kevinjohnolsonphotography.com.

Photo courtesy Kevin J. Olson and www.kevinjohnolsonphotography.com.