Update: West Maui Brush Fire Remains at 2,100 Acres, 40% Containment
Three Maui Fire Department helicopter crews (Air 2, 3 and 4) continued making water drops in hard-to-reach areas of the West Maui Mountains today, in a battle against a wildfire that started late Tuesday morning. Rainfall has provided some relief in upper areas of the fire.
Meanwhile, MFD ground crews concentrated their containment work on the fire’s makai perimeter where it’s accessible to firefighting vehicles. Also assisting were three crews of Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife personnel working burn areas at Kauaula, Kanaha and above the Lahainaluna “L.”
Today, MFD reported no change in the extent of the fire, 2,100 acres, or its containment at 40%.
The Maui Emergency Management Agency stood down from its earlier partial activation as there continued to be no immediate threat to homes or other structures.
Firefighting in the West Maui Mountains has been difficult because of steep (sometimes vertical) and rough terrain.
The possibility of evacuations of residents or road closures remained very minimal today because the fire is burning in remote, inaccessible areas. Recent rainfall and fire breaks have kept the fire from spreading.
The brush fire was originally reported at 11:40 a.m. Tuesday in the area of Kauaula Valley.
Original source can be found here.
