Crater Road Fire Sunday update: 80% contained, 574 acres burned

Update: 7:30 p.m. July 14, 2024

The Crater Road Fire has burned 574 acres since it was first reported on Wednesday evening. By 7 p.m. on Sunday, fire officials declared the fire 80% contained.

“Firebreaks are four miles long and about 10- to 20-feet wide, with a contingency line about three miles long and 20- to 40-feet wide,” official said in a news release.

Crews continued work on Sunday to reinforce and improve containment lines and extinguish hot spots along the perimeter and within the interior. Seven helicopters made water drops to extinguish hot spots, with a focus on the eucalyptus grove on the mauka flank of the fire. Helicopters also transported portable water tanks and pumps to areas inaccessible to vehicles to allow crews to address hot spots, officials said.

Personnel with the Maui Fire Department will utilize an engine and a tanker overnight to monitor conditions, with work resuming on Monday.

Crater Road, Haleakalā National Park, Kula Forest Reserve and all Na Ala Hele Trails in the reserve are closed until further notice.

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The Crater Road fire is 70% contained at 574 acres as of 10 a.m. today, Sunday, July 14, according to a Maui Fire Department update. The fire perimeter held in place through the overnight operations period, aided by cooler temperatures, according to county officials.

County, state and federal crews are battling the fire today, along with two county air assets and two air assets from the Hawaiʻi National Guard, with one more on standby. There are also 30 personnel on scene with the State Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, as well as personnel with the National Park Service and Haleakalā Ranch. 

“Helicopters are being used to cool a eucalyptus grove. The area is spotted with small areas of smoke but poses no major threat to the perimeter. Haleakalā Ranch continues to work with dozers on very wide contingency breaks makai of fire perimeter between community and ranch. A masticator machine is being used to complete fuel removal to strengthen the existing dozer break at Hāpapa Gulch,” according to the latest county update.

An emergency advisory that was issued on Friday afternoon at 4:11 p.m., was lifted at 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, due to improving conditions. This was for residents above Kekaulike and Haleakalā highways between Upper Kimo and Waipoli roads. Although evacuations are NOT expected, residents are asked to continue vigilance and stay informed. If conditions change, notifications will be issued.

Crater Road, Haleakalā National Park, Kula Forest Reserve and all Na Ala Hele Trails in the reserve are closed until further notice.

“The Crater Road fire is far uphill relative to the County Department of Water Supply water system, and there are no current concerns over the safety of the Upcountry drinking water,” according to County Water Supply Director John Stufflebean. “However, DWS is prepared to respond should the system be threatened.”

The Crater Road fire was first reported at around 6:13 p.m. Wednesday. No injuries or structural damages have been reported due to the fire.