An evacuation order for a brush fire that burned 10 acres (4 hectares) on Maui has been lifted by emergency officials, according to reports. The fire prompted authorities to temporarily evacuate residents from a neighborhood in Lahaina, just a few miles from the site recently ravaged by blazes, before firefighters were able to bring it under control.
The Maui County Emergency Management Agency announced on social media that the evacuation order ended at 5 p.m. and residents were allowed to return to their homes. Firefighters used a helicopter and hoses on the ground to extinguish the flames, ensuring that the fire no longer posed an active threat. However, they continued to work in the area, and evacuees were advised to stay clear until it was safe to return.
The evacuation order affected a small number of homes in the hills above Kaanapali resort hotels, although the exact number of people affected was not immediately clear. The area has been experiencing a drought due to minimal rainfall, which has made it more susceptible to wildfires. This was evident in the devastating fire that tore through downtown Lahaina on August 8, resulting in the loss of at least 115 lives and the destruction of 2,000 structures. The previous fire was exacerbated by strong trade winds, fueled in part by Hurricane Dora passing 500 miles (800 kilometers) to the south of Maui.
On Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service forecast breezes of 3 to 8 mph (4.8 to 12 kph) for Lahaina, which provided some relief for firefighters battling the blaze. The situation is being closely monitored to ensure that the fire does not reignite or spread further.
The brush fire and subsequent evacuation order have once again highlighted the vulnerability of Maui to wildfires, especially during periods of drought and in the presence of strong winds. Authorities and residents must remain vigilant and prepared to respond to such incidents in order to minimize the risk to lives and property.
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Original Story at abcnews.go.com – 2023-08-27 16:33:07
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