Olowalu brush fire forces evacuations on Maui
A brush fire near Olowalu on Maui has burned hundreds of acres and forced people out of their homes, and strong wind is keeping the danger alive.
- The fire is only partly contained and firefighters worked through the night to hold it.
- Honoapiilani Highway has reopened, but people told to evacuate are being warned not to go home yet.
- Heavy wind is the main worry, since gusts can push the flames toward houses with little warning.
- Residents living closest to the fire lost a church in a 2020 blaze and say they cannot afford to lose another building.
- Memories of the 2023 Lahaina fires are driving much of the fear in the community.
Outlook: Crews expect to keep fighting the fire as long as the wind stays up, and evacuated residents may not be cleared to return for another day or more.