The Maui Fire Department declared a Wailea wildfire under control and 95 percent contained at 6:55 p.m. today after a nearly 27-hour firefight.

Personnel from the Wailea Fire Station will continue to monitor the scene throughout the night, officials said.

The fire burned an estimated 155 acres of vacant kiawe and brush filled land.

"Our crews did a really great job in protecting the homes in the area," said Deputy Fire Chief Robert Shimada. "We appreciate the help of the heavy equipment crews from the Department of Public Works and Goodfellow Brothers and are especially grateful to those in Maui Meadows (who) allowed our firefighters to use their swimming pools for quick and safe night access to water so that our air operations could continue."

Two privately owned swimming pools were used by three helicopters working through the night conducting water drops. Use of the swimming pools enabled the helicopters to remain on scene last night.

Six vehicles owned by firefighters on duty were damaged by intense heat when the fire came within six feet of the Wailea Fire Station's parking lot fence.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Residents of seven homes on Makamae Place in the Maui Meadows subdivision evacuated as a precautionary measure yesterday returned home last night. A Pu'u Hoolai Street sustained minor damage from flying embers.

One firefighter was treated for minor burns to his cheeks and chin.