Maui firefighters gain control of wind-driven brush fire as evacuees wait to return home
The fire was initially reported to be around 20 acres before exploding in size, according to an official social media post from Maui County. On Monday, firefighters had the blaze 85% contained, but evacuation orders remained in place.
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MAUI COUNTY, Hawaii – The morning after more than 100 homes were evacuated in Kahikinui on Hawaii's island of Maui after a wind-driven brush fire quickly spread, firefighters are making progress containing the blaze.
As of Monday afternoon, the fire perimeter is about 330 acres and 85% contained, according to Maui County officials. No injuries or property damage have been reported.
The Maui County Fire Department said the fire sparked about 10 a.m. local time on Sunday in Kahikinui.
"The fire is currently moving up the mountain, pushed by strong winds," the Maui County Fire Department said on X.
The fire was initially reported to be around 20 acres before exploding in size.
Maui County officials said the containment and exact size of the fire have been hard to determine because of the remote, challenging terrain. A previous estimate released by county officials was around 500 acres on Sunday night.
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This graphic shows the relative location of the Kahikinui Fire, which began on June 15, 2025.
(FOX Weather)
According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, winds near Kahikinui were gusting around 20 mph with locally higher gusts to nearly 50 mph.
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About an hour after the fire started, Maui County Emergency Management (MEMA) issued an emergency evacuation order for mile marker 24 in Kahikinui. The evacuations included 30 to 40 homes, according to MEMA.
There are about 105 homestead lots in the area of the fire. Evacuations remain in place on Monday.
(FOX Weather)
Residents were notified through the new Genasys Protect App and MEMA Alerts, as emergency officials went door to door.
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen signed an Emergency Proclamation to free up federal funds for any potential impacts.
Parts of Pi'ilani Highway (Hawaii Route 31) from mile marker 20 to 41 remained closed on Monday due to firefighting efforts.
The Keokea Community Center opened on Monday as a shelter for evacuees. The American Red Cross is responding to the area shelters to help anyone displaced by the fire.
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Less than two years ago, Maui County experienced the deadliest fire in modern U.S. history and Hawaii's worst natural catastrophe when wind-whipped fires swept through communities, including Lahaina, destroying everything in their path and claiming at least 102 lives in the coastal town.