200 Acres Scorched in Unscheduled Cane Fire

Hāliʻimaile cane fire. Photo: 10.6.16 by Kiaora Bohlool.

Maui firefighters responded to a brush fire reported on the west side of Hāliʻimaile Town at 10:22 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016.

When Makawao firefighters arrived on scene at 10:35 a.m., they found about two acres of sugar cane on fire.

When representatives from Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company arrived, they confirmed it was an unscheduled cane fire.

Maui Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto said preliminary estimates are that 200 acres of sugar cane was lost to the blaze.

“The fire was found burning next to Kaheka Road, which skirts around the west side of Hāliʻimaile Town. While fighting the fire, crews discovered a burned out vehicle a short distance into the cane field near where the fire is believed to have started,” said Taomoto.

No structures were threatened and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Heavy equipment and personnel from HC&S took over final efforts to extinguish the fire with crews from the Maui Fire Department leaving the scene at 4:15 p.m.

Maui fire officials say an HC&S water wagon rolled-over while fighting the unscheduled cane fire. Authorities say, fortunately, the driver did not suffer any injuries.

A battalion chief and water tanker from Kahului, and two helicopters were used to assist in the incident.