300 ACRES BURNED IN KIHEI BRUSH FIRE

A brush fire burned 300 acres since it was first reported at 12:26 this (Sunday) afternoon. As of 8:30 tonight, the fire was not yet under control. The blaze burned vacant land located mauka of the Piilani Highway in South Maui.

Heavy smoke could be seen from Wailea as a brush fire burned 300 acres of vacant land several miles away in Kihei. Photo by Wendy OSHER.

45 firefighters were aided by 4 helicopters conducting water drops, 6 water tankers (provided by the County’s Public Works Department and Goodfellow Brothers Co.), and 6 bulldozers.

Deputy Fire Chief Robert Shimada called the work of the firefighters outstanding as they fought to protect the nearby homes. Shimada also credited the work of the heavy equipment operators who used the bulldozers to cut fire breaks to prevent the fire from spreading to a nearby subdivision located makai side of the area.

Maui County Public Information Officer, Mahina Martin, said the fire came approximately 200 yards to the nearest structures, but no structures were damaged and no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation. No evacuations were necessary and no road were closed.

(By Wendy OSHER 2009; Photo by Wendy Osher 2009)