UPDATE: Kapalua Fire 90% Contained

By Wendy Osher

The fire is located mauka of the Kapalua Airport on state forestry land. File photo by Wendy Osher.

A fire in the forestry area above Kapalua on Maui was 90% contained by nightfall on Monday, but fire officials say it is not considered under control.

The assessment was made at 6:40 p.m. as ground crews continued to battle hot spots within the fire perimeter.

Crews will continue to monitor the blaze overnight with a helicopter to return for water drops at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, said Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

The air support tomorrow will be assisted by ground crews from Engine 3, Engine 11, a Wildland team, and crews from the Department of Forestry and Wildlife.

The blaze was reported at around 1 a.m. on Monday morning, September 26, 2011 in the forestry area mauka of the Kapalua Airport.

The remote terrain made ground accessibility difficult in day one of firefighting operations, and air crews were called in to assist.

The initial size estimate of the blaze was around 5 to 10 acres.