Maui firefighters last night continued to battle a wind-whipped brushfire above Kaunakakai on Moloka'i that had grown to 2,500 acres.

The fire was reported at 12:30 p.m. and rapidly spread west toward the surrounding mountains and away from Kaunakakai, said acting Maui Fire battalion chief Alan Duarte.

While the blaze was moving away from Kaunakakai, firefighters worried that shifting winds could direct it toward the town, Duarte said.

The fire was not contained last night and the cause remained under investigation. No buildings were threatened, Duarte said.

One firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation.

Some 50 firefighters, civilian employees and three helicopters were fighting the fire.