KIHEI - Another wind-whipped brush fire kept firefighters busy in South Maui on Monday, The Maui News reported today.

Piilani Highway was closed for about two hours between Kaonoulu Road and Kulanihakoi Street after the fire was reported at 2:27 p.m. By 4:30 p.m., the fire was 90 percent contained with an estimated 4 to 5 acres burned, said Maui County spokeswoman Mahina Martin. But with 25 mph to 30 mph winds, she said fire personnel were closely monitoring the area.

The fire came within approximately 150 yards of the nearest homes, Martin said. She said no evacuations of residents were ordered, although some left the area voluntarily because of heavy smoke. As a precaution, police instructed construction workers at a nearby site to evacuate.

The closure of Piilani Highway led to bumper-to-bumper traffic for at least a couple of hours in north Kihei.

Monday's fire came on the heels of a fire that burned 155 acres in Kihei over the weekend.

Police said the origin of that fire was suspicious, starting in a nearby field and damaging a chain-link fence and six vehicles parked at the Wailea Fire Station.

Juveniles were probably involved, but investigators hadn't determined Monday whether the fire was intentional or accidental, said Lt. Don Simpson of the Criminal Investigation Division.

An investigation was continuing, Simpson said.

Spread by strong winds, the fire that started at 4:24 p.m. Saturday was estimated to be 95 percent contained by 7 p.m. Sunday. On Monday, a fire crew was monitoring the burned area of brush and trees for hot spots, said acting fire Battalion Chief Jack Williams.

Simpson said damage was estimated at about $20,000 to a chain-link fence at the fire station and the six vehicles owned by firefighters. As flames neared the vehicles, heat melted plastic on cars, damaging paint, headlights, taillight and grills, Simpson said.

He said investigators determined the point of origin for the fire was in a field behind the fire station toward the masai side.

Some residents said a group of teenagers had frequented the field where the fire started.

Monday's fire broke out in brush near Piilani Highway and Kaonoulu Road, an area close to a baseyard used by Betsill Brothers Construction Inc., said Dwayne Betsill, company president and chief executive officer.

The blaze threatened four Betsill offices on the property, coming within 20 feet, he said. Then, "this fire water truck showed up just in time."

Firefighters were able to stop the fire before it damaged the offices, and about 30 company employees were evacuated from the area, he said. There were no injuries.

"The police were very kind. They got us out really quickly," Betsill said.

But with winds fanning the blaze, it moved elsewhere in the company's baseyard, scorching lumber and about eight containers used for storage, he said.

"It just kept on going," he said. "It was really fast moving."

Betsill said that around 3:30 p.m. the fire was moving toward the Piilani Village I housing complex, but firefighters were positioned between the blaze and homes.

Five fire companies, two tankers and the Air One helicopter were on scene, helped by additional water tankers and bulldozers provided by Goodfellow Bros. construction company.

The helicopter dipped into the swimming pool at nearby The Villas at Kenolio condominium complex to get water to douse the fire, said Dave Heard, a resident of the complex. By 5 p.m., he said flames were no longer visible, "just smoke."

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Fire officials said Monday's fire is not connected with the fire that occurred over the weekend.

* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.