Maalaea fire 90% contained, Lahaina Pali Trail closed

By Wendy Osher

The Maalaea fire is now 90% contained according to Maui Fire Chief Jeffery Murray.  The fire began Monday night and burned a total of 5,800 acres.  Because of the ongoing operations, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources today decided to close the Lahaina Pali Trail in the West Maui Mountains until further notice.

After 60 hours of battling a 5,800 acre blaze at Maalaea, firefighters now have the burn area 90% contained. Courtesy Photo by Joni DeMello.

Trail closure signs will be posted at each end of the trail, at the trailheads.   Conditions on the trail and in the surrounding areas may be extremely dangerous to hikers.  DLNR advises all persons to avoid the area. Once the fire has been contained and extinguished, Na Ala Hele will assess the situation and decide upon its further course of action.

Maui’s Civil Defense agency, in coordination with the Maui Fire and Police Departments, as well as GIS and state officials, successfully secured federal funding through a Federal Emergency Management Grant that will help to cover costs incurred at the state and county level.

*** If you liked this story, you might also enjoy our story on the addition of three vehicles to the Maui Fire Fighting Fleet.