UPDATE: Fire Crews Battle Brush Fire Near Piʻilani Hwy in South Maui

By Maui Now Staff

(Update: 7:47 p.m. 6/1/15) A brush fire off of the Piʻilani Highway in Kīhei burned two acres before being contained on Monday afternoon, June 1, 2015.

The fire was first reported at 11:52 a.m., in an area mauka of the highway just south of Kūlanihākoʻi Street.

Fire officials say a Wailea ladder crew just happened to be nearby, and arrived on scene two minutes later. They arrived on scene to find about an acre of brush burning, 100 yards mauka of the highway. The fire department’s Air 1 helicopter was also dispatched to assist crews from Kīhei, Wailea, and Kahului in fighting the fire.

The fire was fully contained by 3:27 p.m.; however, crews have not called it extinguished yet.

“There are a lot of large keawe trees in the area that may not be fully extinguished, so crews will be monitoring this evening when it’s easier to see the glow of embers still burning,” said Maui Fire Services Officer Edward Taomoto.

The cause of the fire is undetermined.

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BRUSH FIRE SOUTH MAUI: 1 p.m. 6/1/15, The Maui Police Department has closed one lane of the Piʻilani Highway in the north-bound direction at the Līpoa Street intersection due to a brush fire. Crews are on scene. Motorists can expect delays in the area.

***Photos Credit: Kevin J. Olson.

Brush fire along Piʻilani Hwy, 06.01.15.Photos By Kevin J. Olson

Brush fire along Piʻilani Hwy, 06.01.15.Photos By Kevin J. Olson

Brush fire along Piʻilani Hwy, 06.01.15.Photos By Kevin J. Olson

Brush fire along Piʻilani Hwy, 06.01.15.
Photos By Kevin J. Olson

Brush fire along Piʻilani Hwy, 06.01.15.
Photos By Kevin J. Olson

Brush fire along Piʻilani Hwy, 06.01.15.
Photos By Kevin J. Olson

Brush fire along Piʻilani Hwy, 06.01.15.
Photos By Kevin J. Olson

Brush fire along Piʻilani Hwy, 06.01.15.
Photos By Kevin J. Olson