UPDATE: Mokuahu Rd Fire in Happy Valley Sparked By Electric Power Equipment

March 26, 2017, 2:22 PM HST
* Updated March 26, 8:34 PM

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(Update: 8:23 p.m. 3.26.17)

At approximately 2:00 pm today, Maui firefighters responded to reports of a brushfire burning along a hillside on Mokuhau Road in Happy Valley, Wailuku.

On scene, crews found a working fire moving through dense brush.

Gusty winds and steep terrain contributed to the rapid spread of the fire as extinguishing efforts commenced.

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Three MFD engine crews, 2 MFD tankers, and the MFD Hazmat crew fought the blaze with the help of 3 helicopters providing water drops from the air.

Both Battalion Chiefs on duty responded to manage this incident which threatened many homes on Mokuhau Road, Maika Street, and Maunalei Place.

The fire was declared “under control” at 7:30 pm.

It is estimated that approximately 8 to 10 acres of brush has burned, and there are no reports of damage to any of the threatened structures.

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There are also no reports of injuries as a result of this fire.

The fire is believed to have been sparked by electrical power equipment which feeds a water department substation.

Firefighters are currently “mopping up” hotspots and will be monitoring the fire through the night.

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(Posted: 2:22 p.m. 3.26.17)

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Maui fire crews are battling a large fire at the top of Mokuhau Road in the Happy Valley area of Wailuku. Witnesses say the fire started at around 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 26, 2017 after what sounded like “a large power boom.”

Wailuku residents also reported power surges at around the same time that the fire started. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and ground and air crews are on scene working to contain the blaze.

The Maui Fire Department’s Air 1 helicopter is trying to prevent the fire from threatening any homes and from advancing up the valley.

The Department of Water Supply is asking that all Central Maui residents conserve water immediately due to a fire that is affecting one of the primary wells for the area.

The affected area includes Waiheʻe, Waiehu, Happy Valley, Wailuku, Waikapū and Kahului. Department officials said until crews can access the well site and access the damage and implications, that affected residents should conserve water until further notice.

*Check back for updates, which will be posted as they become available.