Kahikinui Brush Fire Flare-up Burns Another 300 Acres

Kahikinui Brush Fire as of 2.18.2016 (Photo: Ryan Piros)

The Kahikinui brush fire increased by another 300 acres yesterday after a flare-up Wednesday afternoon jumped firebreaks on the mauka perimeter, officials said.

The flare-up brings the total acreage burned to 5,600, since the fire was first reported last week Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, according to Maui Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto.

Crews yesterday, used Air 1 and two additional choppers from Pacific Helicopter Tours to conduct water drops around the newly burned area.

Helicopters were also the only means of transporting ground crews and equipment to the affected areas at about the 4,200 foot elevation.

About 30 Maui County firefighters and State Division of Forestry and Wildlife fire crews were on scene for mop up operations, which will continue today.