Maui brush fire near Olowalu Village forces evacuations
A fast-moving brush fire near Olowalu Village on Maui has forced people out of their homes and shut down the main highway, stirring painful memories of the deadly 2023 Lahaina fire.
- The fire has burned about 300 acres and is only partly contained, with three helicopters dropping water until nightfall.
- No homes or lives have been threatened so far, and shelters are open at the Lahaina Civic Center and the South Maui gym.
- High winds from Hurricane Nolo are driving the flames and making the air drops harder.
- Power has been cut on purpose in a stretch of West Maui to keep lines from sparking more fires.
- Roads are closed in both directions, so travelers heading to Kahului Airport are stuck and flights are being disrupted.
Outlook: Crews will keep working on the ground overnight, and how fast the fire is knocked down depends on whether the winds ease.