Fire Investigator Called for Morning Brush Fires in Māʻalaea

Update:

Maui Firefighters battled two brush fires early Thursday morning, Oct. 25, 2018 along the Honoapiʻilani Highway.

At 2:17 a.m., firefighters responded to the report of a brush fire along Honoapiʻilani Highway, near Mile 7 in Māʻalaea. When fire crews arrived, the fire stretched nearly 100 yards along the highway, with 10 to 15 mph winds.

Acting Assistant Public Information Officer Chris Stankis with the Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety said the fire was contained at less than one acre of grass and brush and was extinguished by approximately 4:30 a.m.

A second fire was reported along Honoapiʻilani Highway on the Wailuku side of the intersection with Kūihelani Highway at 3:13 a.m. An area of brush and grass less than a quarter acre in size was extinguished before 5 a.m.

Stankis said portions of Honoapiʻilani Highway were closed for short periods due to the proximity of the fires to the road and for the safety of the crews fighting the fires.

Engine companies from Wailuku, Kahului and Kīhei, along with tankers from Kahului and Wailea and two battalion chiefs responded to the fires.

A fire investigator was called for these incidents, following fires along Honoapiʻilani Highway that were reported Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. The cause of the fires at this time is undetermined.

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The Honoapiʻilani Highway is now reopened after a brush fire in Māʻalaea near Mile 7, forced the temporary closure of the highway between 2:45 and 4:45 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018.

Maui Police say the fire has since been extinguished and the highway is open in both directions.