Updates: Waihe‘e Brush Fire Burns 7 Acres, 100% Contained

Update:

A brush fire in Waiheʻe burned 7 acres and was declared 100 percent contained at 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday.  Crews will continue mop up operations today.  The cause of this fire is under investigation.

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A brush fire in Waiheʻe burned 7 acres by nightfall and was 50 percent contained as of 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 24.

The fire was first reported at 3 p.m. in heavy brush located on the mauka side of the Kahekili Highway.

Multiple fire assets were used to battle the blaze including : Engine 1, Engine 10, Hazmat 10, Rescue 10, Tanker 10, Tanker 14, one county tanker, two private dozers and the department’s Air 1 and Air 2 helicopters.

Maui Fire Services Chief Rylan Yatsushiro said crews will continue working to contain the fire with dozers cutting a break around the perimeter. No structures threatened at this time.

Gusty winds blowing at 20 mph hampered firefighting operations earlier in the day.

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Maui fire crews are on the scene of a brush fire mauka of the Kahekili Highway in Waiheʻe. The fire was reported shortly before 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 24.

At 5:16 p.m. witnesses told Maui Now that the fire continues to push North along the Ridgeline and has moved approximately 200 yards further in the last 15 minutes.

Heavy smoke was visible from the Central Maui area and flames were seen by nearby residents earlier this afternoon. The firefighting operation includes ground crews and air assets.

At around 4:20 p.m., witnesses said two helicopters were conducting water drops in an effort to contain the fire that appeared to be increasing in size and was advancing mauka.

The fire was located in an area of heavy brush including tall cane grass and trees.

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

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