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Crater Road fire update as of noon 7-13-24 For www.mauicounty.gov

July 13, 2024

EMERGENCY ADVISORY

Although no evacuation orders have been given, Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) at 4:11 p.m. 7/12 sent an emergency advisory to encourage residents -- above Kekaulike and Haleakala highways between Upper Kimo and Waipoli roads -- to prepare for potential evacuations. MEMA added that a follow-up message for evacuations will be issued, if necessary, and said to monitor radio, TV and mobile devices for official information.

FIRE UPDATE

MFD Command is calling the fire 40% contained as of noon today; no acreage updates are available at this time. Air assets are making progress in heavy timber. All hand crews are in position. One active flareup around 11 am. was spotted on south flank but was quickly addressed by Air 2. Maui Fire Department (MFD) air operations resumed at 7 a.m. today. A thermal drone launched at 2 a.m. detected hot spots in the early-morning hours. Through the night, MEMA has been monitoring the fire and MFD has been onsite. No injuries or structural damages have been reported due to the fire.

Yesterday afternoon, 7/12, strong, swirling wind caused fire spotting, which sparked fire outside of the control lines in the afternoon. Fire in a eucalyptus grove on the mauka flank of the burn area has been problematic. Because of wind and difficult terrain, the fire grew to approximately 550 acres on 7/12 and acreage and containment numbers may continue to fluctuate.

PRECAUTIONARY SHELTER

Although no evacuation orders have been given, MEMA opened King Kekaulike High School gymnasium as a temporary shelter starting at 3 a.m. today. The shelter will close and go into standby mode at 2 p.m. this afternoon, where it can reopen within minutes if evacuation orders are given.

MEMA CALL LINE

MEMA’s emergency call line for Crater Road Fire area residents is open until 2 p.m. today when it will enter standby mode. Call (808) 270-7285.

RESPONSE

Three MFD engines, one wildland engine and one tanker. Three MFD-contracted aircraft. Hawaii Air National Guard Blackhawk and Chinook. State DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) hand crew. National Park Service hand crew. Nine tankers. Eight dozers.

CLOSURES

Crater Road and Haleakala National Park remain closed. State DLNR DOFAW closed the Kula Forest Reserve and all Na Ala Hele Trails in the reserve at 3 p.m. 7/12 until further notice as a precautionary measure.

WATER INFORMATION

The Crater Road fire is far uphill relative to the County Department of Water Supply water system, and there are no current concerns over the safety of the Upcountry drinking water, according to County Water Supply Director John Stufflebean. However, DWS is prepared to respond should the system be threatened.

BACKGROUND

MFD reported the Crater Road fire at about 6:13 p.m. 7/10. MEMA’s Emergency Operations Center was partially activated at 8:02 p.m. 7/10 in response to the fire. Mayor Richard Bissen signed an Emergency Proclamation at 7:20 a.m. 7/11 in response to the ongoing fire, which authorizes the County to access federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure, including funds for emergency response efforts to ensure continued and effective countywide response.

INFO

Sign up for MEMA alerts atwww.mauicounty.gov/MEMA and follow County of Maui on Facebook and Instagram.

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