MAALAEA (AP) — A Maui brushfire is burning toward a housing subdivision. ADVERTISING MAALAEA (AP) — A Maui brushfire is burning toward a housing subdivision. Crews are standing by to prevent the blaze in Maalaea from reaching the homes. Fire
MAALAEA (AP) — A Maui brushfire is burning toward a housing subdivision.
Crews are standing by to prevent the blaze in Maalaea from reaching the homes.
Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto said an earlier fire sparked by a downed electrical line flared up Saturday afternoon and spread quickly in 40 mph winds.
The fire forced evacuations for area businesses and about a dozen residents whose homes were threatened.
Hikers trapped above the fire were airlifted to safety.
Intermittent highway closures snarled traffic.
Maui Electric Co. officials say the fire and strong winds broke an electrical line and about 16,000 people lost power for a few hours.
More than 9 square miles had burned on Maui as of Saturday night.
Rescue centers are set up at the War Memorial and Lahaina CivicCenter.
