Credit: Maui Now
It may seem counter-intuitive at first, but even the wetter areas on the Hawaiian Islands can burn under the right conditions. Wet side fires, such as the one on Monday off of Hana Highway on Maui, can sometimes be especially challenging due to difficult access along cliffsides and taller, denser plant growth. A reminder that even if you are in the green, wildfires can burn in your area.
From the Source:
"Engine 2 from Pāʻia and Tanker 10 from Kahului responded and arrived at 5:45 p.m. to find about a quarter acre of thick vegetation and large eucalyptus trees burning on the hillside mauka of Hāna Highway, about a mile Kahului side of Honomanū Bay.
Maui Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto said crews could not make access to the fire because of steep terrain, with flames climbing up a near vertical slope, burning 150 to 200 feet above the highway."
"The fire forced the three hour closure of the roadway in both directions near Honomanū at Mile 11 while crews worked to fight the fire and burnt debris fell onto the roadway posing a safety hazard."