Across much of Central Maui and north Kihei, black burn scars show where wildfires totaling 9,200 acres swept through open fields of dry brush July 11 and 12. Thankfully, there were no injuries or deaths.
But these fires triggered evacuations, closed roads and damaged a Maui Electric Co. transmission line, fiber-optic cables, abandoned buildings in brush areas, storage containers and some inoperable county heavy equipment near Kuihelani Highway. An evacuation at the Maui Humane Society led to staff and volunteers taking more than 200 animals out of harm’s way.
Now, firefighters work to mop up, responding to public reports of “smokers” and putting out flare-ups. The fires were declared fully contained Monday morning.
Residents and visitors should not go into burn areas. There may be unseen hazards, such as hot spots and underground voids caused by roots and root balls burning underground.