HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Winds to 40 mph are fanning the flames of a wildfire on the slopes of Haleakala that’s already burned more than 500 acres and prompted a multi-agency response.
The Maui Fire Department sent out an alert at 4 a.m. Thursday urging residents in the upper Kula area to be prepared for a potential evacuation.
Those homes include the ones above Kekaulike and Haleakala Highways between Upper Kimo and Waipoli Roads.
So far, no residences or structures have been impacted.
The so-called Crater Road Fire started about 6:45 p.m. Wednesday.
Authorities said the Haleakala National Park summit area is closed as dozens of firefighters battle the blaze.
A road closure is in place between mile markers 8 and 10, and early Thursday officials said the occupants of about 200 vehicles above the impacted area were slowly being allowed to exit.
The fast-moving fire is traveling southeast.
Maui County has activated its emergency operations center to monitor the situation, which has prompted from county, state and federal agencies.
A press conference on the brush fire is expected Thursday but no word yet when that will be held.
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