VIDEO UPDATE: 100 Acres Scorched in Haleakalā Highway Brush Fire
https://www.facebook.com/mauinow/videos/10156681719569867/
Maui firefighters are currently battling a large brush fire burning in fallow sugar cane fields off of Haleakalā FHighway near North Firebreak Road.
The fire was reported at 3:56 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, and was reported to have started as a small fire near the shoulder of Haleakalā Highway.
Kahului firefighters were on scene at 4:04 p.m. but were not able to extinguish the fire due to windy conditions fanning it in the Kīhei direction.
Two engines, and a hazardous materials crew, along with three water tankers from Pā‘ia, Kahului and Wailea are at the scene and will remain overnight to monitor the fire and attempt to keep it from jumping former cane haul roads and into adjacent fields.
County Public Works water tankers are also assisting.
Two helicopters were called in and conducted water drop operations this afternoon.
Video sent to Maui Now by Cristina Pineda at 2 p.m.
At around 7 p.m., when Air-1 and Air-2 were forced to return to the airport due to darkness, the fire was estimated to be around 80 to 100 acres in size.
The fire is still actively burning and is not yet contained.
Crews are allowing the fire to burn to the next access road where they have a better chance at stopping the fire.
Air-1 and Air-2 will return at first light tomorrow morning to resume firefighting operations.
No structures are being threatened and no injuries have been reported.
Fire cause has not yet been determined as firefighting operations are still in progress.
Residents with respiratory conditions in the downwind communities of the Kīhei and Wailea areas who may be affected by smoke from the brush fire should remain indoors with their windows shut and turn on air conditioners if they have them.