Maui firefighters respond to 20 emergency calls on Fourth of July holiday

Maui Fire Department crews responded to 20 emergency calls for fires over the Fourth of July holiday. The majority of these fires were small brush fires and rubbish bin fires which could be quickly extinguished, according to department reports; however, there were two brush fires that required response from multiple units.

At 8:45 p.m., crews responded to a fast moving brush fire located mauka of Piʻilani Highway near Ohukai Road in Kīhei. Four engine companies and three MFD tankers were needed to gain control of the fire.

As of this morning, the fire is considered 100% contained and crews will continue mop-up operations throughout the day today. Approximately 50 acres of brush burned, as well as some construction materials that were located at a job site in the area.

Damage estimates are currently unavailable.

At 2:38 a.m. this morning, personnel responded to a brush fire in the area of Holomua Road in Pāʻia. Crews arrived and found a working brush fire near an encampment. Two engine companies and an MFD tanker were able to contain this fire in about an hour. Fire was declared extinguished at 5:13 a.m. A total of four acres of brush burned.