Suspicious Fire Burns 4 Acres of Sugar Cane in Paia

Credit - Maui Now

Cane fires are quite dangerous fires for firefighters to fight on foot. Help them by reporting any suspicious behavior to your local police.

From the Source:

"The incident was the second unscheduled cane fire in as many days reported in the Pāʻia area.  An estimated one acre of sugar cane was burned in a separate incident on Thursday night near the old Lime Kiln site.

The latest fire was reported at 8:42 p.m. on Friday near Hāna Highway and the Pāʻia mini-bypass.

While waiting for representatives from Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company to arrive, the Pāʻia fire crew and a Kahului water tanker were able to contain about 80% of the fire using large fire streams of water from fire trucks outside the field. 'Crews do not send firefighters on foot into cane fires because of unwarranted risks,' said Maui Fire Services Officer Edward Taomoto in a department press release."

2 Brush Fires Near Pukalani Appear to be Suspicious

Photo Credit: KITV4

Remember to report suspicious activity to your local police department. We need to make sure our communities are not threatened by unnecessary ignition risks.

From the Source:

"Just before midnight, firefighters from Makawao, Kula and Kahului responded to a brush fire near the split at Old Haleakala Highway and the Haleakala Highway bypass.

When the Makawao got to the scene, there were two separate fires -- one on the north side of the Haleakala bypass and the other was on the south side."

Brush Fire in Paia Forces Closure of Baldwin Avenue

Mahalo to our firefighters who have responded to not one, but two brush fires in West Maui today!

From the Source: 

"Baldwin Avenue in Pāʻia remains closed between Holy Rosary Church and the Pāʻia Gym due to a brush fire reported at 1:47 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014.
As of 3 p.m., there were two separate fires burning in the area–one along Baldwin Avenue that was 3-5 acres in size and 75% contained; and another in a gulch on HC&S land that was being handled separately."

"The road is closed around the Pāʻia Gym, so parents are advised to pickup their child as they are able.  Sports at the school have been cancelled for the afternoon.

In order to access students for pickup parents may have to temporarily go to Hāliʻimaile Avenue and come down Baldwin Avenue.  The road closure is temporary, but remained in place as of 3 p.m."

Above: "Baldwin Avenue brush fire, 9/3/14." Credit - Tara Dugan

Baldwin Ave Closure the Result of Brush Fire

These are the sort of complications from wildfire that the brand new Western Maui Community Wildfire Protection Plan seeks to address.

From the Source: 

"A closure of Baldwin Avenue for about 20 minutes this morning was the result of a nearby brush fire.

Paia firefighters responded to a brush fire along the east side of Baldwin Avenue below Holomua Road at 11:41 a.m. Thursday, July 10, according to Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

An area about 1200 square feet of light brush and dry grass was involved, he said.

Crews extinguished the blaze and no injuries or property damage were reported by fire officials.

The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time." 

Above: Credit - Maui Now

Maui Firefighters Battle Stubborn Paia Fire

From the Source: 

"Fire fighters from Paia, Makawao, Kahului and Kihei; 2 Tankers from Wailea and Kahului, and Air-1 responded to an unscheduled cane fire located off of Holomua Road at 10:36 a.m. The fire was called 80% contained at 3:45 p.m. with approximately 200 acres involved. Crews are on scene extinguishing hot spots and conducting a mop up operation. The fire cause and damages are unavailable, an investigation is on going."

Above: "Pāʻia unscheduled cane burn." Credit: Karen Chun