Happening Now: Large Brush Fire Burning in Fallow Sugar Cane Field

March 29, 2017, 10:41 PM HST
* Updated March 30, 6:32 PM

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UPDATE: (6:06 p.m., 3.30.17) A brush fire in fallow sugar cane off of Pūlehu Road burned a total of 30 acres before being brought under control. An complete UPDATE is now posted at the following direct LINK.

(Posted: 10:15 p.m. 3.29.17)

Maui firefighters are currently responding to a large brush fire that appears to be burning in abandoned sugar cane fields in the Pūlehu area, fire officials confirmed.

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Initial estimates are that more than 10 acres of brush and fallow sugar cane are on fire. The fire was reported by multiple callers as being two separate fires early to the incident.

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Officials say the fire crews got the call at 8:53 p.m. and are still attempting to find their way to the fire which is burning uncontrolled on the Kīhei side of Pūlehu Road, near the Omaopio Road and Pūlehu Road junction.

Private security is assisting firefighters with locating the brush fire through the maze of old cane roads.

Fire officials say that no structures are threatened at this time.

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A battalion chief, three fire companies and two water tankers from Kula, Kahului, Kīhei and Wailea are responding to the fire.

Pūlehu Fire, 3.29.17. PC: Asa Ellison

PC: Mary Whispering Wind. “It seemed to begin as 2 or 3 smaller fires and quickly grew into one towering inferno which was very much like the HC&S sugarcane fires,” she said.

PC: Mary Whispering Wind. “It seemed to begin as 2 or 3 smaller fires and quickly grew into one towering inferno which was very much like the HC&S sugarcane fires,” she said.