The blaze is about 30 percent contained, and is burning dense forest at elevations of 6,000 to 7,600 feet.

Dozens of firefighters along with more than 40 state Division of Forestry and Wildlife officials are trying to combat the blaze and steer it away from a host of native plants and animals in the forest.

Winds hampered their efforts Friday.

The fire was 60 percent contained at the start of the day, but it steadily became more and more out of control as morning wore into afternoon.

"Difficult terrain and equipment movement hampered by the dense forest affected our efforts," said John Cumming, the Maui branch manager for the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

The cause is under investigation. The fire was reported Wednesday afternoon and is on Waiohuli Trail, about three miles from the Polipoli State Park cabin and camping area.

Lance DeSilva of the Maui Fire Department said the cabin has not been damaged. Four helicopters dropped water on the flames through mid-afternoon, when cloudy conditions made it unsafe to fly.

Crews operated six bulldozers to build firebreaks.

Also, a state DLNR engineer was called in to assess the stability of the Walipoli access, which began crumbling under the weight of water tankers. Officials are expected to make repairs to the road.