LAHAINA, Maui — A fire yesterday burned at least 180 acres of vacant land above Lahaina town, about two miles north of last week's wildfire that blackened 2,600 acres of former sugar cane land in Olowalu and Launiupoko and destroyed two homes and a tomato farm.

Yesterday's fire was reported shortly before 12:30 p.m. behind the Lahaina Aquatic Center, mauka of Honoapi'ilani Highway, and was 90 percent contained by 7 p.m., said county spokeswoman Mahina Martin.

As a precaution, officials at the Na Hale O Waine'e homeless resource center and transitional housing complex evacuated 150 tenants to a nearby baseball field and later to an American Red Cross shelter set up at the Lahaina Civic Center. Residents were allowed to return by late afternoon and the Red Cross shelter was closed, Martin said.

The highway was not affected by the fire, but traffic remained congested throughout the afternoon as motorists slowed to gawk at the flames and smoke.

The Maui Fire Department dispatched three helicopters, six water tankers and five engine crews to contain the blaze. Four bulldozers were being used to create firebreaks.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known, although children were reportedly playing with fireworks in the area.

Last week's fire, which started Wednesday and was declared fully contained Friday, shut down Honoapi'ilani Highway for periods of time, stranding residents and tourists on each side of the blaze and causing dozens of people to miss their flights at Kahului Airport.

About 700 people stayed overnight in Red Cross shelters in Lahaina and Kahului on Wednesday and Thursday.