Day 3: West Maui fire scorches 2,100 acres, burns mauka brush between Kahoma & Launiupoko

• Day 5 coverage: LINK.
• Day 4 coverage: LINK.
• Day 3 coverage: LINK.
• Day 2 coverage: LINK.
• Day 1 coverage: LINK.

Update: 7:39 a.m., Nov. 11, 2022

Firefighters continue efforts to contain a stubborn fire in West Maui that has burned 2,100 acres since it was first reported on Tuesday. Containment efforts continued overnight.  Crews spent much of Thursday focused on the mauka area between Kahoma and Launiupoko.  Updated Day 4 coverage is posted HERE.

Maui fire grows to 2,100 acres, containment efforts continue

Update: 4:30 p.m., Nov. 10, 2022

Firefighters continue efforts to contain a stubborn fire in West Maui that has burned 2,100 acres since it was first reported on Tuesday.

Air crews returned at first light today to make water drops by helicopter, and ground crews continued work throughout the day to contain the perimeter of the fire.

There was no immediate threat to homes or other structures, according to county officials.

As of 4:30 p.m. today, the fire burned brush in mauka areas between Kahoma and Launiupoko. It was considered 40% contained. Maui Fire Department helicopters will continue making water drops until nightfall, and ground crews will remain on the scene throughout the night.

“Firefighting in the West Maui Mountains has been difficult because of steep (sometimes vertical) and rough terrain,” according to a County of Maui update.

There were no mandatory evacuations or fire-related road closures today; however, residents of nearby communities are advised to stay alert. “A shelter location will be announced if and when evacuations are necessary,” county officials said.

The Maui Emergency Management Agency remained partially activated.

The brush fire was originally reported at 11:40 a.m. Tuesday in the area of Kauaula Valley.

Mayor Michael Victorino thanked residents for avoiding areas where firefighting operations are ongoing. “And, mahalo to our firefighters and community partners, including State of Hawaiʻi Forestry personnel, Goodfellow Bros. and West Maui Land Co.,” he said.

Day 3: West Maui fire scorches 2,000 acres, containment remains at 40%

Update: 11:21 a.m., Nov. 10, 2022

A stubborn fire in West Maui has scorched an estimated 2,000 acres and containment remained at 40%, according to an 11 a.m. update issued by the Maui Emergency Management Agency.

The department reports that air assets returned at first light this morning, with four helicopters on scene making water drops in affected areas.

The firefighting effort includes crews from the Maui Fire Department, and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife.

Firefighters continue to battle a section of the fire above Launiupoko, where residents had been put on alert Wednesday afternoon regarding the potential need for evacuations.

As of 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10, no evacuations had been ordered, but residents are reminded that evacuations may become necessary.

Fire crews are also monitoring different sections of the fire at various locations, according to the update.

The large fire started at around 11:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in the Kauaula Valley area of West Maui.

Crews continue to monitor the West Maui fire for hot spots

Update: 9 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022

Four West Maui schools are back in session today after they were closed on Wednesday due to nearby firefighting efforts.  The West Maui Brush Fire has burned 1,200 acres since it was first reported at around mid-day on Tuesday.  The upper Launiupoko subdivision was placed on alert last night for potential evacuation, but reactivation of shelter space was not needed.