Charred Vehicle Found in Pūlehu Road Brush Fire

Photo by Wendy Osher.

Upcountry firefighters responded to a brush fire reported on Pūlehu Road at around 10:58 p.m. on Tuesday Dec. 20, 2016.

The incident was reported by a passing motorist.

Kula firefighters arrived on scene at 11:20 p.m. to find about 5,000 square feet of fallow sugar cane burning about a quarter mile below ʻŌpalipali Place on the Makawao side of Pūlehu Road.

Maui Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto said crews had trouble locating the fire, which was about 100 yards in from the road and not easily seen.

Crews had the fire under control by 11:42 p.m. on Tuesday and extinguished at 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016.

Fire officials say the remains of a burned out off-road all-terrain vehicle was found in the center of the burned area. No one was present authorities say it is unclear how the ATV got there.

The cause of the fire was undetermined. No structures were threatened.

Firefighters from Kula, Makawao and Kahului responded to the fire.