Hawaii News

Swift-moving fire in West Maui burns 1,200 acres

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A brush fire that began in West Maui on Tuesday morning has burned about 1,200 acres and may cause the possible evacuation Wednesday night for residents in the upper portion of the Launiupoko subdivision, according to a County of Maui update issued on Wednesday afternoon.

County officials said Maui police officers were going door to door this afternoon to alert residents living in the upper portions of the Launiupoko Subdivision that they may need to evacuate if a brush fire spreading along mountain ridges above them moves toward their homes.

VC: BKR Vlogs

The brush fire was first reported at around 11:40 a.m. Tuesday in the area of Kauaula Valley. Earlier today, fire officials had estimated that they had the fire 40% contained.

Steep and rough terrain continues to pose difficulties for firefighting efforts. Firefighters continue to work on the ground to secure the fire perimeter in areas accessible to firefighting vehicles.

West Maui fire burns into the evening. (11.8.22) Video Credit: BKR Vlogs
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Afternoon winds on Tuesday pushed flames toward the Lahainaluna area. Crews from Goodfellow Brothers construction company assisted with a bulldozer to make a firebreak near homes along the Bypass in the area of Lahainaluna Road.

By nightfall on Tuesday, the fire had spread to the base of Paʻupaʻu “Mount Ball.”

The state Department of Education anticipates that it will be able to reopen four West Maui campuses that were impacted by closures today. Friday, Nov. 11, is the Veterans Day holiday and all public schools, county, state and federal offices will be closed in observance of the holiday.

  • Kauaula fire advances toward Lahainaluna as night falls in West Maui. PC: Jacob Ottmann
  • West Maui fire, vantage from Lahaina Harbor at 6:28 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022. PC: Nicole Bouchard
  • West Maui fire from homes at Launiupoko. (9:30 p.m. Nov. 8, 2022) PC: courtesy.
  • Kauaula fire advances toward Lahainaluna as night falls in West Maui. (11.8.22) PC: Elizabeth Bowen
  • Kauaula fire (11.8.22) spreading toward Lahainaluna as night falls in West Maui.PC: Shannon Richards
  • Fire from the Lahaina Civic Center looking south as night falls over West Maui. PC: courtesy (11.8.22)
  • Kauaula fire advances toward Lahainaluna as night falls in West Maui. (11.8.22) PC: Elizabeth Bowen
  • Kauaula fire advances toward Kahoma as night falls in West Maui. (6:30 p.m., 11.8.22) PC: Kathryn Smirke
  • Kauaula fire (11.8.22) spreading toward Lahainaluna. View from Tamura’s parking lot. PC: Rosa McAllister
  • Kauaula fire advances toward Lahainaluna as night falls in West Maui. Vantage: from Mala mooring field. PC: Chelsea Paslay
  • West Maui fire, vantage from Lahaina Harbor at 6:28 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022. PC: Nicole Bouchard
  • Fire from the Lahaina Civic Center looking south as night falls over West Maui. PC: courtesy (11.8.22)
  • Kauaula fire (11.8.22) spreading toward Lahainaluna. PC: Julie OHara
  • Kauaula fire (11.8.22) spreading toward Lahainaluna. PC: Julie OHara
  • West Maui fire, 6:45 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022. PC: Kanani Higbee
  • West Maui fire, 6:45 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022. PC: Kanani Higbee
  • West Maui fire, Nov. 8, 2022. PC: Elvice Wu
  • West Maui fire, Nov. 8, 2022. PC: Elvice Wu
  • West Maui fire continues to burn into the night. Nov. 8, 2022. PC: Janese Swanson
  • West Maui fire continues to burn into the night. Nov. 8, 2022. PC: Janese Swanson
  • West Maui fire continues to burn into the night. Nov. 8, 2022. PC: Janese Swanson
  • West Maui fire continues to burn into the night. Nov. 8, 2022. PC: Janese Swanson
  • West Maui fire continues to burn into the night. Nov. 8, 2022. PC: Janese Swanson
  • West Maui fire continues to burn into the night. Nov. 8, 2022. PC: Joy Armstrong
  • West Maui fire continues to burn into the night. Nov. 8, 2022. PC: Joy Armstrong
  • West Maui fire continues to burn into the night. Nov. 8, 2022. PC: Joy Armstrong
  • West Maui fire continues to burn into the night. Nov. 8, 2022. PC: Joy Armstrong
  • West Maui fire continues to burn into the night. Nov. 8, 2022. PC: Joy Armstrong
  • West Maui fire continues to burn into the night. Nov. 8, 2022. PC: Joy Armstrong
  • West Maui fire continues to burn into the night. Nov. 8, 2022. PC: Joy Armstrong
  • West Maui fire from homes at Launiupoko. (9:30 p.m. Nov. 8, 2022) PC: courtesy.
  • Moon above Lahaina fire. (11.8.22) PC: Tiffany Sarte
  • West Maui fire (11.8.22) PC: Aimee Miller
  • West Maui fire (11.8.22) PC: Aimee Miller
  • West Maui fire (11.8.22) PC: Aimee Miller
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Wendy Osher
Wendy Osher leads the Maui Now news team. She is also the news voice of parent company, Pacific Media Group, having served more than 20 years as News Director for the company’s six Maui radio stations.
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