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South Maui fire scorches 80 acres

By sunset, fire was 100% contained

Traffic navigates Piilani Highway while a brush fire burns in the distance Monday morning. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

The Maui News

Aided by light winds, fire crews brought an 80-acre blaze in South Maui under control on Monday.

The fire was first reported at 9:03 a.m. in an area of light brush and kiawe just north of the Maui Meadows subdivision in Kihei. Crews from three different stations responded while three helicopters conducted water drops.

By 2:30 p.m., the fire was 80 percent contained. Bulldozers cut a control line around the fire’s perimeter while ground crews and air support doused hot spots and secured the perimeter. Crews were also burning and removing patches of brush that could become a threat.

As of sunset Monday, the fire was 100 percent contained, Fire Services Chief Rylan Yatsushiro said. He added that crews were helped Monday by “light and variable winds” that kept the fire from growing out of control. More than a week ago, high winds whipped up two major fires that burned 9,200 acres in Central Maui and north Kihei.

No injuries or damages to structures were reported, and no evacuations were ordered. Yatsushiro said the fire was about a quarter-mile north of Maui Meadows.

Responding to the fire Monday were Engine 6 from Kihei; Engine 10, Tanker 10 and Hazmat 10 from Kahului; Engine 14, Ladder 14 and Tanker 14 from Wailea, as well as three helicopters, three emergency callback crews, a County Public Works bulldozer and several private bulldozers and tankers.

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