KAHULUI - Fire crews responded to two brush fires and a cane field fire along Haleakala Highway on Monday afternoon, fire officials said.
In the blaze, 20 acres of cane was burned. There were no injuries, and Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. was not immediately able to provide a damage estimate late Monday afternoon, fire officials said. The cause of the fires was undetermined Monday.
Firefighters responded to the 12:48 p.m. alarm, with the first fire about 200 yards above the Hana Highway intersection with Haleakala Highway. Firefighters with the Kahului engine and water tanker found a 600-by-15-foot fire in dry brush on the shoulder of the highway. A cane field also was on fire.
Later, there was a report of another brush fire a mile above the first one. The Makawao engine crew responded and found a 10-by-10-foot area smoldering. The fire was quickly extinguished, and the Makawao crew assisted with the first fire.
During the fires, an Upcountry-bound lane of traffic on Haleakala Highway was closed. It was reopened at 2:15 p.m.
The Kahului Airport's Crash Crew helped fight the first fire, which was declared under control at 1:50 p.m. HC&S personnel took over extinguishing that fire as they handled the cane blaze as well.
At 4:27 p.m., firefighters from Kula, Makawao, Kahului and Wailea were sent to a 3-acre brush fire in Kahikinui off Milepost 26 on the Upcountry Piilani Highway, officials said. The Fire Department's Air One helicopter also responded.
The blaze was reported to be fully contained and under control at 6 p.m.
