Maui firefighters extinguish brush fire in Nakalele
Maui County Fire officials said a brush fire Wednesday in the Nakalele area scorched about two acres of heavy brush.
The fire was reported to the Kapalua Airport control tower by tour helicopters at about 10:50 a.m., and Napili firefighters were on the scene at 11:12 a.m., the Maui Fire Department said in a press release. Brush was burning on the mauka side of the highway, and across from the parking area to the Nakalele Blowhole, the fire deparment said.
A fire helicopter provided water drops to prevent tradewinds from spreading flames. The blaze was extinguished at 3 p.m.
There were no injuries and the cause is undetermined. Firefighters from Napili were assisted by a water tanker from Lahaina.
Also on Maui Wednesday afternoon, Makawao firefighters extinguished a small shipping container fire on Uakoko Place after it was ignited by a nearby meat smoker.
Firefighters said they responded at 1:48 p.m. to a report of smoke on Uakoko Place off of Kokomo Road, where flames were coming from underneath and from the inside of a 20 foot shipping container. According to the department, “the resident was trying to control the fire using a garden hose, but was having little affect.”
The container caught fire after the homeowner left a meat smoker unattended to have lunch, and a wood pallet under the smoker ignited. The flames spread to items stored under and inside the container. Damage was estimated at $500.