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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, October 29, 2009

Light wind helps firefighters knock down 30-acre wildfire

Advertiser Staff

Firefighters worked about four hours yesterday to contain a brushfire that burned an estimated 30 acres and prompted the closure of Lahainaluna Road for 40 minutes.

The fire was reported at 1:48 p.m. Thirty firefighters were sent to the scene and had the fire contained about 6 p.m.

County officials closed the Lahaina Aquatics Center as a precautionary measure and the center's swimming pool was used by Fire Department's Air One helicopter as a source of water as it conducted water drops throughout the afternoon.

At 3:20 p.m. police closed a portion of Lahainaluna Road between Kalena Street and Kuialua Street. Lahainaluna Road was reopened by police shortly after 4 p.m.

"We're fortunate that the winds were light today," fire Battalion Chief Kimo Kino said. "Our personnel will patrol and monitor the area tonight (last night) and mop-up operations will continue through the evening."

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was being investigated.

Heavy equipment and water tankers were provided by the county Department of Public Works, Goodfellow Bros. and West Maui Land Co.