3000 Acres Burned in Hāli‘imaile Brush Fire: Haleakalā Hwy OPEN, Hāli‘imaile Rd CLOSED

July 8, 2020, 12:49 AM HST
* Updated July 9, 2:32 AM

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(Update: 2:20 a.m. 7.9.20)

Haleakalā Highway is now OPEN in both directions. Hāli‘imaile Road remains closed from the Haleakalā Highway to the Hāli‘imaile General Store.

Photo Credit: Lt. Ryan Rodrigues

(12:49 a.m. 7.8.20)

Firefighters cut large firebreak to protect Skill Village residents

Maui Fire Department crews have cut a large firebreak to protect residents in the area of Skill Village in Paia due to the Hāli‘imaile fire.

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The approximately 3,000-acre fire remains about a half mile away and does not pose any immediate threat. Fire crews continue to work on-scene and police are ready to respond, if needed.

Residents should remain vigilant, but do not need to evacuate their homes at this time.

“Mahalo to our first responders for their tireless efforts to protect our community,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “Please remember to stay safe and stay away from the area for everyone’s safety.”

(Update: 10:04 p.m. 7.8.20)

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Residents of Skill Village in Pāʻia Advised to be Prepared for Possible Evacuation

A brush fire is burning in the Pāʻia area. The Maui Emergency Management Agency issued a notification at 10:04 p.m. (7.8.20) for Skill Village residents to “prepare your families, pets, and residences for possible evacuation if notified. Monitor for additional information and be prepared for possible evacuation.”

The fire is about 2,500 to 3,000 acres in size and around a half a mile away. Winds are currently blowing away from the area, but Skill Village residents should be prepared to evacuate immediately if wind conditions change.

Haleakalā Highway remains closed from Hana Highway to Old Haleakalā Highway. Hāliʻimaile Road also remains closed. The public should stay away from the area.

The Emergency Operations Center has been activated and Maui Emergency Management Agency is closely monitoring the situation. The American Red Cross also is standing by to provide assistance.

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“I want all the residents of Skill Village to prepare their family, children and pets for possible evacuation,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “Our fire crews continue to work hard trying to control the fire and slow its spread. All residents should avoid the area to protect the safety of themselves and our first responders.”

(Update: 9:44 p.m. 7.8 20)

1900 Acres Burned in Hāli‘imaile Brush Fire, 30% Contained:
Haleakalā Hwy and Hāli‘imaile Rd CLOSED

Maui fire crews continue to battle a large brush fire in Hāli‘imaile. The fire started near Kailua Gulch below Hāli‘imaile Road early Wednesday morning. The brush fire has burned a total 1,900 acres and was 30% contained at last report. Road closures remain in effect for Haleakalā Highway and Hāli‘imaile Road. Earlier today, non-essential employees were evacuated from the Central Maui Landfill, EKO Compost facility and the Ameron Quarry. During the height of the blaze, 40 firefighter personnel were on scene in addition to three helicopters, multiple tankers and dozers. Crews continue to monitor and battle the blaze into the night.

(Update: 7:52 p.m. 7.8.20)

There are no changes to our previous report. Road closures remain in effect for Haleakalā Highway and Hāli‘imaile Road. Acres burned is 1,900 and containment remains at 30%.

(Update: 4:22 p.m. 7.8.20)

Maui police are reopening Pūlehu Road for now. Haleakalā Hwy (between Hāna Hwy-36 and Makani Road) remains closed. Hāli‘imaile Road also remains closed (from Haleakalā Hwy-37 to Hāli‘imaile General Store).

Haleakalā Hwy-37: from Hāna Hwy-36 to Makani Rd.
Hāli‘imaile Rd: from Haleakalā Hwy-37 to Hāli‘imaile General Store

Maui Fire Services Chief Rylan Yatsushiro said the fire has grown to 1,900 acres and remains 30% contained as of 5 p.m.

There were some limited evacuations of area businesses. According to Managing Director Sandy Baz, police have evacuated non-essential employees at the Central Maui Landfill, the EKO Compost area and also the Ameron Quarry.

“Crews are actively working to contain and extinguish the fire,” said Baz. ”

40 MFD personnel are on scene along with the department’s Air 1, Air 2 and Air 3 helicopters, three MFD Tankers, and several Dozers and Water Tankers from private companies.

(Update: 3:30 p.m. 7.8.20) Haleakalā Hwy (Hwy 37), Hāli‘imaile Road and Pūlehu Road are all CLOSED in both directions until further notice

Haleakalā Hwy-37: from Hāna Hwy-36 to Makani Rd.
Hāli‘imaile Rd: from Haleakalā Hwy-37 to Hāli‘imaile General Store
Pūlehu RD: from Hansen Rd to the “Y” above the Landfill

The fire was reported overnight near the Kailua Gulch below Hāli‘imaile Road. The fire had burned at least 200 acres and was 30% contained at last report.

According to Managing Director Sandy Baz, the fire has grown to 1,400 acres. There were some limited evacuations of area businesses.

(Update: 2:21 p.m. 7.8.20). Crews continue to battle a large brush fire below Hāli‘imaile Road, that forced the closure of the Haleakalā Highway earlier this afternoon.

There is a heavy backup in traffic on multiple area roads including: Hansen, Pūlehu Rd., Baldwin Avenue and Ōmaʻopio Road. All roads are open except for Haleakalā Highway, which remains closed between Hāna Highway and the “Y” in the road near the Pukalani turn-off.

The fire was reported overnight near the Kailua Gulch below Hāli‘imaile Road. The fire had burned at least 200 acres and was 30% contained at last report.

(Update: 1:27 p.m. 7.8.20) Haleakalā Highway is closed in both directions between Hana Highway and the “Y” in the Highway near the turn off to Pukalani. Motorists headed down Haleakalā Hwy are being rerouted onto Hāli‘imaile Road. Traffic on Hāli‘imaile Rd. is limited to a single lane, with traffic being alternated for the interim.

(Update: 12:57 p.m. 7.8.20) The Hāli‘imaile fire has jumped Kailua Road and will result in the closure of Haleakalā from the Keahua Junction to the “Y” in the Highway near the turn off to Pukalani. The closure is set to go into effect shortly as crews continue to battle the fire that started overnight near Kailua Gulch below Hāli‘imaile Road.

(Update: 8:53 a.m. 7.8.20) Maui police will reopen one lane of travel on Hāli‘imaile Road shortly, however motorists are advised to avoid the area. One lane of travel will reopen coming out-bound from Hāli‘imaile. Traffic in-bound to Hāli‘imaile remains closed.

(Update: 7:50 a.m. 7.8.20) A fire reported in Hāli‘imaile overnight has burned approximately 200 acres and is 30% contained as of 7:50 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2020.

Maui Fire Services Chief Rylan Yatsushiro said personnel are currently using heavy equipment to cut fire breaks around the perimeter of the fire. All other resources are working on securing the fire perimeter.

There are four fire companies on scene including two tankers, the department’s Air-1 helicopter, an MFD Battalion Chief, and MFD Assistant Chief, two Mahi Pono tankers, a Mahi Pono dozer and an Alpha Construction dozer.

Current conditions on scene are clear with light trades. The cause of fire is unknown at this time.

On the roadways, Hāli‘imaile Road is CLOSED from Haleakalā Highway to the Hāli‘imaile General Store due to the brush fire reported overnight at Kailua Gulch.

Update: (7:40 a.m. 7.8.20) Hāli‘imaile Road is CLOSED from Haleakalā Highway to the Hāli‘imaile General Store due to a brush fire reported overnight at Kailua Gulch.

Update: (7:32 a.m. 7.8.20) The department deployed air assets at first light this morning to assist in containment of the fire. An official update from the department relating to total acreage burned, personnel on site and area impacts is due out shortly.

Update (6 a.m. 7.8.20) Just in: Hāli‘imaile Road from Haleakalā Hwy to the shooting range is CLOSED (as of 6 a.m.) due to a brush fire at the Kailua Gulch.

Update (4:30 a.m. 7.8.20) Fire crews are now using dozers to cut a fire break near the Haleakalā Highway / Keahua Junction. The brush fire continues to burn on a parcel of land below Hāli‘imaile Road.

Update (1:40 a.m. 7.8.20) A fire crew from Hazmat 10 is among the latest units responding to the Hāli‘imaile fire, which continues to burn makai of Hāli‘imaile Road. The glow from the fire can be seen from nearby communities. No word yet on cause or estimated acreage burned.

BRUSH FIRE: (12:30 a.m. 7.8.20) Maui fire crews are responding to a fire reported below Hāli‘imaile Road along Haleakalā Highway. Residents report seeing the glow of the fire from nearby communities.