The helicopters were grounded after sunset, and they are expected to return to making air drops after sunrise.Īll ground firefighter crews were set to work through the night to protect lives and property and to try to contain the fire, which remained a “very dynamic situation,” according to Maui Fire Department Fire Services Chief Rylan Yatsushiro. near the intersection of Waiko Road and Kuihelani Highway. Three helicopters flew much of the day Thursday, after the fire was initially reported at 10:42 a.m. The center is only on standby in the event that War Memorial reaches capacity. Those seeking shelter in Wailuku should go to War Memorial Gymnasium and not the Velma McWayne Santos Community Center. DOT is in the process of transporting another 300 people from Kahului Airport to War Memorial. The Maui County Department of Transportation provided six motor coaches and five school buses on standby at Kahului Airport to transport visitors and affected residents to shelters. Kamalii Elementary School, manned by the Red Cross, had 253 people War Memorial Gymnasium, manned by Red Cross, has about 200 people. The Kihei Community Center, manned by the Department of Parks and Recreation, had 156 people and six dogs before 7 p.m. “This fire is still an active threat to our community and residents are urged to remain vigilant of changing conditions,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. Maalaea residents were allowed to return home later in the evening, but Kihei residents were cautioned to remain at the shelters. The fire is not contained at this time and mandatory evacuations were ordered for Maalaea and north Kihei residents. UPDATE: 8:57 p.m.: North Kihei Road remains completely closed and Maui Veterans Highway is only open to Kahului-bound traffic as firefighters continue to battle a wildfire that broke out Thursday morning. Please be advised that flare ups can occur at any time and intermittent road closures can occur overnight. UPDATE: 9 pm: Maui Veterans Highway is now open in both directions. Should personnel have to evacuate the Maalaea Generating Station in the interest of safety, Maui Electric staff are prepared and equipped to operate at an alternative location to maintain electrical service. There are no scheduled or planned outages to customers at this time. We continue to monitor the situation with Maui Fire Department on site at our Maalaea Generating Station. Maui Electric Update: Currently Maui Electric generating facilities have not been affected by the wild fire. Residents on Ohukai and to Uwapo Road are clear to return to their homes. Maui Veterans Highway reopened in both lanes of traffic. UPDATE: 9:30 p.m.: Maui Police Department is escorting cars intermittently through North Kihei Road as conditions allow. The Kihei-bound lane on North Kihei Road is open.
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