Costly Maui wildfire still not out
Fire officials seek FEMA funding to help defray costs incurred in battling the blaze
WAILUKU » Fire officials were still investigating the cause of a fire that burned some 4,000 acres of brush land, shut down traffic on a major thoroughfare, and prompted the evacuation of some residents and businesses on Maui.
Battalion Chief David Kamalani said investigators have not determined firefighting costs, including the use of equipment and supplies.
Fire Chief Carl Kaupalolo said his department was still talking with county Civil Defense to determine the amount of money that would be released by the federal government.
The assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency is to help in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster.
"It's critical that the men and women who selflessly battle wildfires know they will continue to have the support of the federal government," said Karen Armes, acting regional director of FEMA Region IX.
"This declaration is one demonstration of that support," Armes said.
In addition to county firefighters, support came from state forestry workers and National Guard helicopters that made water drops in otherwise inaccessible mountainous areas.
Kaupalolo said that although the fire is contained, there are still hot spots flaring up within the 4,000 acres and people are still calling about those flare-ups.
"We're comfortable we have 100 percent containment ... I won't call it controlled or out," he said yesterday afternoon.
The fire, contained on Sunday, was reported around 12:30 a.m. Friday and spread quickly as heavy winds in excess of 15 mph stoked the blaze along the mountainside.
The fire went as high as about the 2,500-foot level near Maalaea and within 75 yards of native forests and endangered species, said Glenn Shishido, a forest management supervisor with the state Forestry Division.
Shishido said the fire burned close to native forest areas on Saturday, but firefighters were able to keep the flames away from areas occupied by endangered plants and animals.
Fire officials reported no damage to property from the fire, but the blaze stalled traffic and caused scores of visitors to miss their flights and some businesses in Maalaea to evacuate clients and close early Friday.
The fire burned across several miles of brush from the Lahaina pali tunnel to the road junction connecting Kahului and Honoapiilani Highway.