A brushfire in Kaanaapali caused Maui County to blare its emergency warning sirens Saturday afternoon as the island continued to reel from a wildfire that killed at least 115 people Aug. 8.
An evacuation order was issued for “Anapuni Lp to West Mahipulu,” according to an alert from the Maui Emergency Management Agency that was sent to mobile devices. Officials said to evacuate family and pets now, without delay.
According to officials, the fire is in Kaanapali, about four miles north of Lahaina on Honoapiilani Highway. The extent of the fire is unknown, but emergency crews were responding.
As of 2 p.m., Maui County says fire fighters are on the scene and have stopped the fire’s forward progress.
“No additional threats or evacuation order are in place,” the county said in an Instagram post. The county said in its social media posts that the evacuation is for Anapuni Loop and West Mahipuna Place.
Calvin Miller and a friend watched from a nearby golf course as firefighters worked to put down the blaze.
“Obviously seeing something like this is triggering given all that happened before,” said Miller, who lives nearby in Kaanapali. “It makes you worry.”
At 2:25 p.m., the county sent an update saying the “fire situation has stabilized and is not posing an active threat at this time.”
Evacuation orders remained in effect, and the county said it would send another update when it was safe to return.
The sirens blared during the Federal Resource Fair at the Lahaina Civic Center where residents of Lahaina could start signing up for new Social Security cards and access to federal benefits as a result of the Aug. 8 wildfire.
One man leaving the resource fair yelled, “Well now they’re sounding the siren!”
The sirens did not sound during the Aug. 8 wildfire, which officials have been criticized for not doing.
Meanwhile, crews have still not fully contained the Aug. 8 wildfires in Lahaina, which was mostly destroyed, and Upcountry, where 19 homes were lost.
The latest update Saturday from the county shows the Olinda fire is 85% contained and burnt an estimated 1,081 acres; the Kula fire is 90% contained, burning 202 acres; and the Lahaina fire is 90% contained, burning 2,170 acres.
Officials are seeking help in identifying 388 individuals who were reported unaccounted for following the Lahaina wildfire.
This story will be updated.
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