UPDATE 11 p.m.: Roads closed by large brush fire reopen in Lahaina
A large brush fire burns in the hills above Lahaina on Tuesday evening. The blaze reported near Kauaula Valley had burned 850 acres as of 8:20 p.m. KRISTY HANKINSON photo
A fire burns in the area of Kauaula Valley in Lahaina on Tuesday afternoon. MAUI FIRE DEPARTMENT photo
A large brush fire burns in the hills above Lahaina on Tuesday evening. The blaze reported near Kauaula Valley had burned 850 acres as of 8:20 p.m. KRISTY HANKINSON photo
A fire burns in the area of Kauaula Valley in Lahaina on Tuesday afternoon. MAUI FIRE DEPARTMENT photo
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All roadways had reopened in Lahaina after they were forced to close by a large brush fire in Lahaina on Tuesday night.
The fire had burned about 850 acres as of 8:20 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Kauaula Valley in West Maui. It was reported at 11:40 a.m. Tuesday amid gusty trade winds. The Maui Fire Department reported access to the area was challenging because of rough terrain.
Lahaina engine, ladder and tanker companies, a Napili engine company, three helicopters and a battalion chief responded to the fire. Crews remained on scene Tuesday afternoon.
Residents in the vicinity of Lahainaluna High School, Lahainaluna Road and Hokiokio Place were told they may need to evacuate, the county said at about 8:30 p.m.
The Lahaina Civic Center opened for evacuations, and the Maui Emergency Management Agency was partially activated, the county said.
The state Department of Education announced that Lahainaluna High School, Lahaina Intermediate School, Princess Nahienaena Elementary and King Kamehameha III Elementary would be closed Wednesday due to the fire and evacuations of residents.