Smoke plume coming from Crater Road fire site is due to eucalyptus grove hot spot and not a reason to be concerned. Maui Fire Department photo
By The Maui News
KAHULUI – The Crater Road fire is 70% contained at 355 acres as of 9 a.m. Friday. Maui Fire Department (MFD) said that the plume of smoke visible miles from the site is being caused by hot spots in a eucalyptus grove on the mauka flank that slightly grew in intensity overnight. Crater Road and Haleakala National Park remain closed.
The department added that it is not a cause for concern, and many resources are responding to the fire today. Forward progress of the fire remains stopped, but a change in acreage may occur today as a result of the eucalyptus grove. No injuries or structural damages have been reported due to the fire, which is located at about the 7,000-foot elevation.
Five MFD fire crews, Air One, Air Two, one Blackhawk, one Chinook, two tankers, five dozers, 10 National Parks personnel and a 27-person state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife’s wildland crew. MFD is working with forestry and parks to conduct ground support work to cool tree line.
The Crater Road fire is far uphill relative to the County Department of Water Supply water system, and there are no current concerns over the safety of the Upcountry drinking water, according to County Water Supply Director John Stufflebean. However, DWS is prepared to respond should the system be threatened.
MFD reported the Crater Road fire at about 6:13 p.m. July 10. MEMA’s Emergency Operations Center was partially activated at 8:02 p.m. July 10 in response to the fire. All of the approximately 150 to 200 vehicles above the impacted area were released in a safe, coordinated effort that night.
MEMA issued an informational message at 3:04 a.m. July 11 asking residents above Kekaulike and Haleakala highways between Upper Kimo and Waipoli roads to prepare for potential evacuation, but added that a follow-up message for evacuations would be issued if deemed necessary.
At 7:30 p.m., MEMA sent an updated message that lifted the advisory for those residents due to improving conditions. Mayor Richard Bissen signed an Emergency Proclamation at 7:20 a.m.
On July 11, in response to the ongoing Crater Road Fire the county authorized access to federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure, including funds for emergency response efforts to ensure continued and effective countywide response. Drones were deployed around 6:30 p.m. July 11 to survey the fire with a thermal lens, which better detects hot spots. MFD crews remained on scene Thursday night to monitor the situation, work on containment and extinguish hot spots.