Haleakalā Crater Road fire Saturday update 7 p.m.: 70% contained, advisory lifted for area residents, shelter on standby

Update: 7:31 p.m., 7:06 p.m., July 13, 2024

The Crater Road fire has consumed more than 550 acres and was 70% contained at last report. Due to improving conditions Maui County officials have lifted the advisory for residents in affected areas to prepare for potential evacuations. The advisory was issued at 4:11 p.m. on Friday for the area above Kekaulike and Haleakalā highways between Upper Kimo and Waipoli roads, and was lifted at 6:57 p.m. today.

“Water from air and ground assets helped suppress the fire, along with the work of county, state and federal hand crews. Eight dozers were cutting fire line to help containment, and a contingency dozer line several miles long now flanks the residential side. Any smoldering materials are well within the fire perimeter,” according to a county update. “While air, state and federal crews have demobilized for the day, MFD will keep a command element, drone operators, one engine and one tanker onsite overnight. A thermal drone will fly overnight missions.”

An evacuation shelter at the King Kekaulike High School gym closed at 2 p.m., but will remain on standby if needed. Although evacuations are not expected, residents are asked to continue to monitor radio, TV and mobile devices for official information. If conditions change, notifications will be issued.

Crater Road, Haleakala Haleakalā Park, the Kula Forest Reserve and all Na Ala Hele Trails in the reserve remain closed until further notice as a precautionary measure.

Update: 4 p.m., July 13, 2024

The Crater Road fire has consumed more than 500 acres and was 40% contained at last report. Ground crews are utilizing hand tools while air assets continue water drops throughout the day. Firefighters with the County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety are working in challenging terrain at the 7,000-foot elevation. MFD crews are supported by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and crews with the National Park Service.

The emergency shelter that was open earlier today at the King Kekaulike High School gym has since closed and went into standby mode at 2 p.m., where it can reopen within minutes if evacuation orders are given. MEMA’s emergency call line (808-270-7285) for Crater Road Fire area residents is now in standby mode as well.

Update: 12 p.m., July 13, 2024

The Maui Fire Department Command is calling the Haleakalā Crater Road fire 40% contained as of noon today. Air assets are making progress in heavy timber, according to a mid-day update provided by the county. One active flareup at around 11 am. was spotted on south flank but was quickly addressed by Air 2, officials said.

Maui Fire Department air operations resumed at 7 a.m. with a thermal drone launched at 2 a.m. that detected hot spots in the early-morning hours. The Maui Emergency Management Agency has been monitoring the fire and MFD has been onsite.

On Friday afternoon, “strong, swirling wind” caused “fire spotting,” which sparked fire outside of the control lines in the afternoon. Fire in a eucalyptus grove on the mauka flank of the burn area has been “problematic,” according to Maui fire officials. Because of wind and difficult terrain, the fire grew to approximately 550 acres on Friday, and acreage and containment numbers continue to fluctuate.

Although no evacuation orders have been issued, MEMA opened King Kekaulike High School gym as a temporary shelter starting at 3 a.m. today. The shelter will close and go into standby mode at 2 p.m. this afternoon, where it can reopen within minutes if evacuation orders are given. MEMA’s emergency call line (808-270-7285) for Crater Road Fire area residents is open until 2 p.m. today when it will enter standby mode.

Three fire engines, one wildland engine and one tanker are on scene, in addition to three MFD-contracted aircraft. Hawaiʻi Air National Guard Blackhawk and Chinook are also being used to battle the fire. State DLNR hand crews and a National Park Service hand crew are assisting. County officials sat there are nine tankers and eight dozers being used.

No injuries or structural damages have been reported due to the fire. 

Update: 7:30 a.m., July 13, 2024

Maui fire crews remained on scene at the Haleakalā Crater Road fire overnight. The fire has burned an estimated 550 acres since it was first reported at 6:13 p.m. on Wednesday. Although no evacuations were made overnight, a temporary shelter was set up and is now available at the King Kekaulike High School gym.

A thermal drone launched at 2 a.m. detected hot spots in the early-morning hours, according to a county update. Maui Fire Department air assets resumed at 7 a.m. today with two to three helicopters doing initial assessments; then more military helicopters will be ordered, according to county officials.

“Weather this morning is clear but winds are 15 to 25 miles per hour with some gusts more than 35 mph, causing embers to fly outside of control lines,” according to a morning update.

Officials report that fire in a eucalyptus grove on the mauka flank of the burn area has been “problematic.” On Friday afternoon, “strong, swirling wind” caused “fire spotting,” which sparked fire outside of the control lines in the afternoon.

“Because of wind and difficult terrain, the fire grew to approximately 550 acres on Friday and acreage will continue to fluctuate, making containment percentage difficult to estimate,” county officials said.

Although no evacuation orders have been given, the Maui Emergency Management Agency opened King Kekaulike High School gym as a temporary shelter starting 3 a.m. today until further notice. “If area residents are triggered due to the August wildfires and are looking for a safe place to go, the gym offers water, restrooms and electricity. Please make sure to bring medication, go-bags and any other items needed. Shelter is pet friendly,” according to county officials.

An emergency advisory to encourage residents  — above Kekaulike and Haleakalā highways between Upper Kimo and Waipoli roads — to prepare for potential evacuations was issued by the Maui Emergency Management Agency at 4:11 p.m. on Friday. Follow-up messages for evacuations will be issued, if necessary. Residents are asked to monitor radio, TV and mobile devices for official information. 

MEMA’s emergency call line for Crater Road Fire area residents is open now until further notice at 808-270-7285.

Assets on scene include one engine, three tankers, and two to three MFD-contracted helicopters. Additional MFD personnel and engines are heading to the scene at 8 a.m. State DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) and National Parks Service crews will deploy later this morning. Military helicopters will get orders once MFD air assessments are complete.

Crater Road and Haleakalā National Park remain closed. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources closed the Kula Forest Reserve and all Na Ala Hele Trails in the reserve at 3 p.m. on Friday until further notice as a precautionary measure.

No injuries or structural damages have been reported due to the fire.