UPDATE: 8:05 p.m.
The Maui Emergency Management Agency lifted its Crater Road Fire emergency advisory that was issued Thursday afternoon urging residents area residents to prepare for potential evacuation.
County officials said the fire was 70% contained and has burned 550 acres since it started Wednesday night.
“Due to improving conditions, County of Maui officials tonight lifted the advisory that had been issued for residents above Kekaulike and Haleakala highways between Upper Kimo and Waipoli roads,” MEMA said just before 7 p.m. “Although evacuations are not expected, residents are asked to continue to monitor radio, TV and mobile devices for official information. If conditions change, notifications will be issued.”
Separately, county officials said that lighter winds helped firefighting efforts today.
>> PHOTOS: Crews continue to battle fire
“Water from air and ground assets helped suppress the fire, along with the work of county, state and federal hand crews,” they said in a news release. “Eight dozers were cutting fire line to help containment … Any smoldering materials are well within the fire perimeter. While air, state and federal crews have demobilized for the day, MFD will keep a command element, drone operators, one engine and one tanker onsite overnight. Thermal drone will fly overnight missions. No injuries or structural damages have been reported due to the fire.”
3 p.m.
As of the latest available update today, the Crater Road wildfire has been 40% contained but there was no update available on how many acres have been burned.
No injuries or structural damage have been reported.
There are three MFD engines, one wildland engine, one tanker, three MFD aircraft, Hawaii Air National Guard’s Blackhawk and Chinook, crews from National Park Service and state DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, nine tankers and eight dozers assisting in battling the raging fire.
MFD launched a thermal drone at 2 a.m. to detect hotspots in the early-morning hours. MEMA has been monitoring the fire through the night and MFD has been onsite.
Maui Fire Department resumed air operations at 7 a.m. today. An active flareup started at 11 a.m. around the south flank but an Air 2 helicopter took care of it.
On Friday afternoon, the swirling wind caused fire spotting and sparked a blaze outside the control lines.
“Fire in a eucalyptus grove on the mauka flank of the burn area has been problematic. Because of wind and difficult terrain, the fire grew to approximately 550 acres on 7/12 and acreage and containment numbers may continue to fluctuate,” according to a statement.
No evacuations have been ordered, but King Kekaulike High School’s gymnasium is serving as a temporary shelter until 2 p.m. today and will reopen if an evacuation is ordered.
Crater Road and Haleakala National Park remain closed. Kula Forest Reserve and all Na Ala Hele Trails in the reserve have been closed since Friday afternoon until further notice as a precaution.
Maui County Water Supply Director John Stufflebean said there are no concerns over the safety of Upcountry drinking water so the Department of Water Supply is prepared to respond in the event of an emergency.
Crater Road area residents can call MEMA’s emergency line at 808-270-7285.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
Maui County, state and federal crews this morning resumed fighting the Haleakala Crater Road fire in Upper Kula that has burned about 550 acres.
Although no evacuations have been ordered and no structures threatened, Maui Emergency Management Agency officials opened a “precautionary shelter” at King Kekaulike High School gymnasium as a temporary shelter at 3 a.m.
“If area residents are triggered due to the August wildfires and are looking for a safe place to go, the gym offers water, restrooms and electricity,” county officials said in a 7:30 a.m. update. “Please make sure to bring medication, go-bags and any other items needed. Shelter is pet friendly.”
Emergency officials said they monitored the fire overnight and Maui Fire Department crews remained in the area, using a thermal drone launched at 2 a.m. to detect hot spots. MFD air operations resumed at 7 a.m. and military aircraft were expected to join the effort.
Winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts over 35 mph have caused embers to fly outside of the fire control lines, officials said.
In addition to MFD crews, tankers and helicopters, the firefighting effort includes crews from the state Department of Land and Natural Resource’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife and from the National Parks Service.
Crater Road and Haleakala National Park remain closed, as is the Kula Forest Reserve and all Na Ala Hele Trails in the reserve as a precaution, officials said.
MEMA’s emergency call line for Crater Road Fire area residents is open now until further notice at (808) 270-7285.
While no evacuation orders have been necessary, MEMA on Friday sent out an emergency advisory urging residents above Kekaulike and Haleakala highways between Upper Kimo and Waipoli roads to prepare for potential evacuation.
MEMA urged residents to monitor radio, TV and mobile devices for official information.
“Due to a change in the behavior of the fire in the Upper Kula area, we urge all residents to prepare for a potential evacuation. The safety of our community is our top priority, and we need your cooperation to ensure everyone’s well-being. This is just an advisory message; a follow-up message for evacuations will be provided if deemed necessary,” MEMA officials said Friday.
