The Maui News — A brush fire that burned about 50 acres in Kahului was 65 percent contained as of Sunday afternoon, according to the Maui Fire Department.

The fire was reported at 1:01 p.m. near Pulehu Road between Hookele Street, Hansen Road and Hana Highway.

As of 2:30 p.m, black-and-brown smoke could be seen billowing behind the Hookele Street Safeway. The fire was burning close to Hana Highway, with some flames right along the shoulder as cars whipped by. Dozers were making firebreaks along the road shoulder as two helicopters made water drops from above.

The fire forced the closure of Hansen Road entirely from Maui Veterans Highway to Hana Highway, the county reported at 2:45 p.m. Pulehu Road was also closed from Hookele Street to Omaopio Road.

Crews were able to protect the threatened baseyards of Maui Tow & Transport and T.J. Gomes Trucking Co. near the corner of Pulehu and Hansen, as well as the Maui EKO greenwaste facility.

No significant damage was reported, and no evacuations were ordered.

The cause of the fire was still under investigation.

Temperatures reached a high of 92 (98 degrees on the heat index), with northeast trades of more than 20 mph and gusts above 30 mph.

Acting fire spokesman Chris Stankis said shortly before 8 p.m. that with the winds dying down, the containment had likely increased from the 65 percent reported at 4:30 p.m. However, because it was getting dark and crews were unable to take a helicopter up to assess the situation, he said there likely wouldn’t be updates until the morning.

Responding units on Sunday included four engines from Kahului, Paia, Kihei and Kula; three tankers from Kahului, Wailea and Lahaina; a relief unit from Kahului; a battalion chief from Lahaina; a Hazmat unit from Kahului; and the department’s Air 1 and Air 2 helicopters. Two state aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles also aided in fighting the blaze, along with a county Department of Public Works tanker, Goodfellow Bros. dozers, Vares heavy equipment and a Mahi Pono dozer.