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

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.

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.

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.