Downed Power Line Sparks 2 Acre Piʻiholo Grass Fire

Maui Now graphic.

By Maui Now Staff

A grass fire in the Piʻiholo area of Upcountry Maui burned an estimated two acres of grass in a pasture before being brought under control on Monday afternoon.

The fire was reported at 4:23 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2015, in a grassy area along Piʻiholo Road, just above Waiahiwi Road.

Fire officials say crews from the Makawao station arrived on scene at around 4:34 p.m. to find lots of smoke and a slow moving grass fire.

Once crews made access into the pasture, they found power lines down in the fire area, said Maui Fire Services Officer, Edward Taomoto.  Kauʻi Awai-Dickson, a spokesperson for Maui Electric Company said a tree brought down power lines in the area.

According to department reports, crews called the fire contained at 4:57 p.m. and extinguished 30 minutes later.

Firefighters determined the fire was caused by a downed Maui Electric Company power line, FSO Taomoto said.