Updated at 11:52 a.m., Monday, January 29, 2007
Rains help contain large forest fire on Maui
Advertiser Staff
KULA, Maui — Heavy rains on Haleakala on Monday helped firefighters contain a forest fire that has burned approximately 2,000 acres.The fire is suspected to have spread Wednesday from an illegal campfire at the upper Waiohuli trail in the Kula Forest Reserve near Polipoli State Park, officials said. It has been burning at the 6,000- and 7,600-foot elevation.
Eleven additional National Park Service firefighters from the Big Island will join the 38 state Division of Forestry and Wildlife personnel already at the fire scene. The federal crew is specially trained to handle massive fires.
As of 9 a.m. Monday, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources reported that the forest fire is entirely contained. Gusty winds of up to 30 mph are posing an additional threat, according to the DLNR's John Cumming.
"Because the stability of many of the extremely large trees has been compromised by the fire, partially burned trees with weak bases are toppling over in the high wind. Helicopters are grounded and firefighting crews are on standby and not operating as a safety precaution," he said.
