Fire Fighters Continue to Put Out Hot Spots Along Honapi‘ilani Highway Today

Maui fire fighters continued to monitor what the county is referring to as the “Māʻalaea Mauka” brush fire overnight, putting out hot spots along Honoapiʻilani Highway and containing it from spreading further into the Māʻalaea area.

Resources used through Wednesday night and into early Thursday morning included Engine 1 and Mini 1 from Wailuku, and Ladder 3 and Tanker 3 from Lahaina, as well as two helicopters for aerial fire suppression and reconnaissance.

Maui County reports no injuries related directly or indirectly to the brush fire. There were also no other evacuations ordered besides the one last night for the Māʻalaea area.

Traffic is also reported to be normal to and from Lahaina. There are no active road closures at this time.

Emergency shelters at Maui High School and Princess Nahiʻenaʻena Elementary School in Lahaina closed at 7 this morning.

Velma McWayne Santos Community Center (Wailuku Community Center) and Lahaina Civic Center opened at 6:30 a.m. to allow the two schools to open for students. Both of those centers are tentatively scheduled to close at 9 a.m.

The American Red Cross reported approximately 450 people at Maui High and 22 people at Princess Nahiʻenaʻena. The Maui Visitors Bureau provided over 250 inflatable mattresses for people at the shelters.

“I want to thank our fire and police departments for their tireless work in battling this brush fire and keeping our people safe,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “We could not have done this without the help of all our County Departments as well as our private and governmental partners. We are very grateful for their efforts to take care of our community.”

“We want to remind the public to continue watching and listening for emergency messaging and observe all directions by police personnel,” Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Administrator Herman Andaya said. “There is still potential for flare-ups and road closures, especially as winds pick up later today. The public is asked to remain vigilant and sign up for emergency alerts through Makaʻala.”

To sign up for MEMA’s Maka`ala Emergency Alerts, visit https://www.mauicounty.gov/70/Emergency-Management-Agency.

For more information visit the County of Maui’s website at www.mauicounty.gov.