Crews Respond to Small Brush Fires in Olinda and Ōmaʻopio

Upcountry firefighters responded two grass fires on Saturday afternoon, April 2, 2016–one in Olinda and another in Ōmaʻopio.

The first incident was reported at 1:16 p.m. when Makawao firefighters were dispatched to a report of smoke on Piʻiholo Road.

Upon arrival crews found a 50 x 50 foot area of grass burning in a pasture 100 yards off of Piʻiholo Road.

According to department reports, the fire was extinguished at 1:49 p.m.

No homes were threatened and no injuries reported. The cause of the fire was undetermined.

The second fire was reported at 2:05 p.m. on Ikena Kai Place in Ōmaʻopio.

Kula and Makawao firefighters, along with a water tanker unit from Kahului responded to the scene.

Crews arrived at 2:19 p.m. and found just under a half-acre of high grass burning about 50 feet from a residential structure and moving slowly uphill.

According to department reports, firefighters were able to contain the fire by 2:33 and had it extinguished at 2:55 p.m.

Maui Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto said the property owner was mowing grass on a riding mower and noticed the grass smoking behind him. He was unsuccessful in stomping it out and the resulting fire got out of control.

There were no injuries and no structures were damaged.