4 p.m. Update: Mā‘alaea Mauka Fire Remains 90% Contained

Update: 4 p.m. 10.4.19

The 4,100 acre brush fire which started on Wednesday, Oct. 2 remains 90% contained.

Crews from MFD and the State of Hawaii Forestry Division continued “mop-up” operations today, and will continue to do so until sunset.

Maui Fire Services Chief Rylan Yatsushiro said, “All efforts are focused on securing the fire perimeter.”

“Air 1 was called shortly after mid-day to address some hot spots in a remote area of the fire, and has since completed that operation,” said FSC Yatsushiro.

Fire crews will continue to monitor the fire through the night.

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Firefighters have gained 90% containment on the 4,100-acre Māʻalaea Mauka wildfire as of 10:30 this morning.

Fire crews continue to mop up and put out hot spots, especially in perimeter areas of the brush fire.

The department’s Air 1 is no longer deployed for water drops at this time.

The fire started Wednesday morning, Oct. 2, in the West Maui Mountains in Māʻalaea and advanced through the “Pali” area to Papalaua.

During the incident, evacuations took place along Māʻalaea Bay Road as well as at the Lahaina Pali Trail and the Kaheawa Wind Farm site.

There was also an extended road closure on the Honoapiʻilani Highway that lasted for much of Wednesday afternoon and overnight into Thursday, with an additional closure mid-day yesterday.

Māʻalaea Mauka fire. PC: Ryan Prios / County of Maui 10.2.19.