Rising winds set stage for flare-ups

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KIHEI - After bulldozers cut firebreaks to keep a 400-acre brush fire from spreading to nearby houses, firefighters worked for a second day Monday to try to extinguish the blaze in north Kihei.

Although the fire was surrounded by gulches to the north and south as well as the firebreaks, fire officials worried about the potential for flare-ups as humidity dropped and winds began to increase late Monday afternoon.

With the fire about 80 percent contained, firefighters were expected to remain at the fire scene overnight.

"We still have areas of concern," Battalion Chief Jeff Shaffer said. "It could change."

Inside the perimeter, small fires ignited areas of brush, kiawe and dry grass that were interspersed with patches of dirt in the uninhabited area mauka of Piilani Highway.

Thirty-eight firefighters and civilians battled the blaze, with firefighters assisted by the Fire Department's Air One helicopter, the Maui County Public Works Department and Goodfellow Bros. employees. The firefighters included members of the wildland team coordinated by Capt. Jamie Joyo.

Deputy Fire Chief Robert Shimada credited firefighters and heavy equipment operators who used bulldozers to cut the firebreaks that kept the fire from reaching a subdivision makai of the burning area.

"Our crews did a tremendous job out there, and I'm very proud of our firefighters," Shimada said. "The terrain was difficult, and they worked with equipment operators to protect the nearby neighborhood."

No damage or injuries were reported from the fire, which was estimated to have reached within 200 yards of the nearest structures. The fire was burning in a northeast direction, heading uphill and away from houses, Shaffer said.

He said the Fire Department also was assisted by the Pacific Disaster Center, which used satellite imagery to provide a recent map that allowed fire officials to diagram the fire area.

The cause of the fire, reported at 12:26 p.m. Sunday, remained under investigation Monday, Shaffer said. He said the fire was believed to have started at a park at the end of Kaiwahine Street.

"We have had a handful of fires in this area," Shaffer said.

In June 2007, police said, children playing with fireworks started a brush fire that blackened 5 acres after igniting brush at the top of Kaiwahine Street. Nearby homes were evacuated before the fire, spread by gusting winds, was extinguished.

* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.