Hero firefighters battle new Maui brush fire that destroyed 10 acres near Lahaina
MAUI, HAWAII: A brush fire erupted in the Lahaina neighborhood in Maui on Saturday, August 26, consuming 10 acres (4 hectares) of land and triggering the evacuation of residents. The affected area was situated just a few miles away from a region that had recently been devastated by wildfires.
The fire was eventually brought under control as firefighters employed helicopters for water drops and hoses on the ground. John Heggie, a spokesperson for Maui County's Joint Information Center, offered insights into the firefighting operations.
Maui County updates: Brush fire no longer an active threat
"The fire burned 7 acres of vegetation and is currently 85% contained. Firefighters on-scene continue to reinforce containment lines," Maui County said in an Instagram post.
"Forward progress of the fire is stopped. An Army Chinook CH-47 helicopter will make at least one water drop to help improve containment lines."
"As of 5:00 PM, the evacuation order has been lifted and residents are free to return home. Please use caution while traveling through the area as emergency personnel are still working."
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Tragedy struck on August 8 when a devastating wildfire swept through downtown Lahaina, resulting in a heart-wrenching loss of at least 115 lives and the destruction of 2,000 structures.
The region's already precarious situation was exacerbated by minimal rainfall, plunging it into a state of drought.
The previous fire was intensified by powerful trade winds, partly influenced by Hurricane Dora, which was positioned about 500 miles (800 kilometers) south of Maui.
Evacuation order for the Maui brush fire lifted
The community remained on alert as the National Weather Service predicted gentle breezes ranging from 3 to 8 mph (4.8 to 12 kph) for Lahaina on Saturday afternoon, August 26.
Emergency officials have lifted the evacuation order on Saturday, August 26. The evacuation order included a few homes above the Kaanapali resort hotels.
The exact number of people affected is currently unclear.
Maui County filed a lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric on Thursday, August 24, alleging that the utility's mismanagement of power lines led to the devastating fires, per the Guardian.
The lawsuit claims the utility ignored warnings about fire-prone weather and accuses them of "intentional and malicious" actions.
The wildfire, the deadliest in the US in a century, has left Lahaina devastated. Rebuilding the town and helping the displaced, who are dealing with grief and trauma, is a significant challenge.
President Joe Biden visited the town and pledged federal assistance, acknowledging the overwhelming devastation and promising support for as long as necessary.