Kaupō Fire Rekindles, Burns Additional 25 Acres

Kaupō fire. Photo courtesy Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety.

By Wendy Osher

An additional 25-acres of brush was burned when a fire that had been extinguished in Kaupō rekindled at around 3 p.m. on Monday, July 15, 2013, fire officials said.

According to department reports, three helicopters were dispatched along with two fire department tankers, two tankers from public works, and crews from the Kula and Makawao fire stations.

The affected area was located at the 2,000-foot elevation, and was called 100% contained at 7 p.m., said Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

Crews will continue to monitor the burn area overnight and into tomorrow.

Earlier today, fire officials released information linking the initial fire, which started on Saturday afternoon, to fireworks.

The fire burned an estimated 65-acres of brush over the weekend before being brought under control on Monday morning.

Fire Chief Jeff Murray issued a plea saying, “This sort of reckless behavior needs to stop, otherwise someone may get hurt.”

Anyone with information on this and other suspicious fires on Maui should contact the Maui Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at (808) 244-6425 or call Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous.