Unscheduled Paia Cane Burn Causes $5,000 Damage

By Wendy Osher

File photo, by Wendy Osher.

Maui firefighters responded to a unscheduled cane burn on property in Paia on Thursday afternoon.

The fire was reported at 5:16 p.m. in an area of brush off of Baldwin Avenue, mauka of the Paia Gym.

Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company (HC&S) reported that the blaze caused an estimated $5,000, according to county authorities.

Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga said the fire had burned about a half acre and was slowly moving in the westward direction when firefighters arrived on scene.

The blaze was brought under control shortly after 6 p.m.  No injuries were reported.

Among those responding to the scene were Engine 2, Engine 5, and tanker 10.  HC&S also responded with a supervisor, two tankers, and a rake, which was used to cut a fire break around the burn area.

The fire was one of three that were reported on Maui on Thursday.  The others included a brush fire near the Boys and Girls Club in Kahului, and a structure fire in Napili on Thursday night.

Alarm received 2038, arrived on scene 2047, fire under control 2110, and extinguished at 2300.