The Maui News

A brush fire burned 5 acres behind Walmart on Wednesday afternoon, clouding the parking lot with smoke and soot.

The fire was reported at 1:17 p.m., according to the Fire Department. Passing motorists called 911 and reported seeing smoke and flames along with people running out of the bushes near the intersection of Hana Highway and Airport Access Road. Crews arrived to find an actively burning brush fire.

Firefighters directly attacked the blaze using hose lines off of multiple apparatuses, while the department’s Air One helicopter conducted bucket drops.

One engine, two tankers, a brush vehicle, hazmat and rescue companies and a battalion chief from Kahului responded to the scene, along with a tanker and engine from Wailea to cover emergencies in the Kahului area. Two state aircraft rescue firefighting trucks also responded from the Kahului Airport.

As of 4:45 p.m., crews had fully contained the fire, though they continued to mop up and extinguish hot spots within the fire’s perimeter.

No road closures or evacuations were ordered by the Fire Department and no injuries were reported.

Walmart administration referred all media inquiries to the store’s corporate office, which was unavailable late Wednesday afternoon. However, a Walmart employee confirmed that the store did not close during the fire and that many people had to wear face masks. Customers were seen continuing to go in and out of the store shortly before 2 p.m. as crews battled the fire nearby.

Temperatures on Wednesday afternoon were as high as 90 degrees, with winds about 20 mph from the northeast and relative humidity of about 50 percent, the Fire Department said.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire.