Devastating Brush Fire in Lahaina

[cdn_traveler]

Some more devastating news in addition to all the Hurricane Lane news:
https://mauinow.com/2018/08/24/brush-fire-kauaula-valley-lahaina/

Keep safe everyone!

 

[LisaRex]

My friend who lives on Maui reported on this. It's devastating to those who live there. Anyone who's been to Maui in the past probably remembers how sparsely populated the mauka side of the highway used to be due to its extreme dryness and rockiness, but subdivisions have cropped up in recent years. Apparently, the extreme winds knocked down power lines and that was all it needed. The dry vegetation went up in flames. So sad. Hope no one's life was lost.

 

[taterhed]

The updates today showed 22 homes and 30 vehicles lost....

I saw one burn report......
Hope all are safe.
Feel sorry for those who lost their homes or are displaced.

 

[alwysonvac]

My friend who lives on Maui reported on this. It's devastating to those who live there. Anyone who's been to Maui in the past probably remembers how sparsely populated the mauka side of the highway used to be due to its extreme dryness and rockiness, but subdivisions have cropped up in recent years. Apparently, the extreme winds knocked down power lines and that was all it needed. The dry vegetation went up in flames. So sad. Hope no one's life was lost.

Thanks for sharing.
I was wondering how the fire got started.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Thanks for sharing.
I was wondering how the fire got started.

I recall reading an article that mentioned that it was arson.

 

[alwysonvac]

There were rumors of arson but so far it’s been ruled out.

From MauiNow.com
West Maui Fire Investigation: So Far Shows No Criminal Intent
Updated August 29, 9:48 AM

Maui police say that an investigation into the cause of the large wildfires in West Maui, so far has shown no criminal intent to the start of either the Kauaʻula Valley or Kāʻanapali fire.

“It is believed that high winds affected the power lines however the exact origin of the fires is undetermined,” Maui police said in a press release statement issued late Tuesday morning.

The Kauaʻula Valley and Kāʻanapali fires burned a total of 2,300 acres, forced the evacuation of more than 100 residents, damaged or destroyed 21 residential structures and forced the temporary closure of the main road into and out of West Maui for several hours. Both fires started on Friday morning and were preceded by a separate fire at Māʻalaea in the West Maui Mountains.

Maui Fire officials called the conditions “some of the most adverse the Maui Fire Department has faced in recent history” as crews battled the fire in storm force winds while Maui County was under a Hurricane Warning.

​

From MauiNews.com
Maui’s Lane damage could run up in the millions for repairs
August 29, 2018

....Also Tuesday, the Maui Police Department reported its investigation has shown no criminal intent to the start the Kauaula Valley fire that spread to Lahainaluna Road and the separate fire that started above the Kaanapali Hillside homes, all on Aug. 24.

The fire reported at 12:45 a.m. Friday at Kauaula Valley and Punakea Loop eventually claimed approximately 1,500 acres burned and burned 21 residential structures; approximately 27 vehicles were damaged. Fire crews reported “very strong and swirling winds” associated with the approaching hurricane. A woman from the valley sustained burns to her legs and arms.

Around 7:30 a.m. Friday, another fire was reported behind the Lahaina Civic Center. It spread rapidly to Puukolii Road and the Kaanapali Golf Estates and Kaanapali Hillside subdivision. Some external damage was reported to a home in the Kaanapali Hillside subdivision, fire officials said.
​

 

[alwysonvac]

Another brush fire on Maui today.
http://mauinow.com/2018/08/31/olowalu-brush-fire-crews-responding/