MFD: Kīhei Fire Intentionally Set

Kīhei fire, Oct. 20, 2015. Photo credit: Julia Toro.

Maui fire officials say an afternoon brush fire on Tuesday, Oct. 20 in Kīhei was intentionally set.

The incident was reported at 2:24 p.m. near Kaiwahine Street in South Maui.

Firefighters from Kīhei arrived on scene at 2:35 p.m. to find about an acre of dry brush burning at the end of Kaiwahine Street, next to Hale Piʻilani Park.

The fire was brought under control by 3:11 p.m., and called extinguished at 4:29 p.m.

Kīhei fire, Oct. 20, 2015. Photo credit: Julia Toro.

A total of 2 acres was burned, and the fire came within 100 feet of the nearest homes.

Maui Fire Services Officer Edward Taomoto said favorable weather conditions prevailed, and the fire did not pose a threat to nearby homes.  Taomoto said a building housing a weather monitoring station was impacted by the fire, but did not sustain any damages.

According to fire officials, witnesses reported seeing a juvenile male lighting the grass on fire, then fleeing the area.

There were no injuries reported and no structures were damaged.

Two engines, two water tankers and a battalion chief from Kīhei, Wailea, and Kahului responded to the incident.