Winds cause fire, power outages

Article Photos

WAILUKU - Strong winds swayed power lines and brought them close enough to touch off a short-circuit and ignite a grass fire Thursday afternoon in an undeveloped portion of the Maui Lani subdivision near the intersection of Kaahumanu Avenue and Maui Lani Parkway.

The events occurred between 3:20 and 3:30 p.m., causing the first of three short power outages in the Wailuku area, said Kau'i Awai-Dickson, Maui Electric Co. spokeswoman.

Maui County firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after the blaze started and quickly put it out. The fire was contained in a compact, grassy area.

New homes in the subdivision below Sand Hills were as close as 50 yards from the fire and could have been threatened if firefighters had not reacted as quickly.

Firefighters were faced with high temperatures and winds and very dry conditions Thursday.

The National Weather Service reported temperatures in the upper 80s. The winds atop Haleakala had gusts as high as 30 mph.

The power outage affected Maui Electric's Wailuku substation, and most Wailuku residents experienced the brief blackouts, Awai-Dickson said. Calls to emergency 911 operators reported that Wailuku area traffic signals were disrupted by the outages.

Maui Electric crews made the necessary repairs, and regular service was restored, a Maui Electric dispatch supervisor reported at about 6 p.m.