Crater Road Fire update as of 8 p.m. 7 11 24

RESIDENT ADVISORY LIFTED

Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) issued an informational message at 7:30 tonight that LIFTS the Crater Road Fire emergency advisory sent at 3:04 a.m. today. Due to improving conditions, Maui County officials tonight LIFTED the advisory that had been issued for residents above Kekaulike and Haleakala highways between Upper Kimo and Waipoli roads. Although evacuations are NOT expected, residents are asked to continue to monitor radio, TV and mobile devices for official information. With the prior advisory lifted, the next informational update on the fire is expected to be issued tomorrow morning, July 12. If conditions change, notifications will be issued.

FIRE UPDATE

The Crater Road fire is 50% contained at 355 acres as of 8 p.m., July 11, 2024. Acreage of the fire decreased from 420 to 355 due to more accurate mapping assessments. Forward progress of the fire was stopped as of earlier this afternoon, according to Maui Fire Department (MFD). No injuries or structural damages have been reported due to the fire, which is located at about the 7,000-foot elevation.

RESPONSE

Drones were deployed around 6:30 p.m. this evening to survey the fire with a thermal lens, which better detects hot spots. MFD crews remain on scene overnight to monitor the situation, work on containment and extinguish hot spots. Four engines, three wildland engines, 11 tankers, five dozers, two helicopters, MFD firing crew and a 27-person state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife's wildland crew have been working throughout the day.

WATER INFORMATION

The Crater Road fire is far uphill relative to the County Department of Water Supply water system, and there are no current concerns over the safety of the Upcountry drinking water, according to County Water Supply Director John Stufflebean. However, DWS is prepared to respond should the system be threatened.

CLOSURES

Crater Road, which was closed early this morning, will remain closed overnight, officials said. Haleakala National Park was closed as of July 10 evening.

BACKGROUND

MFD reported the Crater Road fire at about 6:13 p.m. July 10. MEMA's Emergency Operations Center was partially activated at 8:02 p.m. July 10 in response to the fire. All of the approximately 150 to 200 vehicles above the impacted area were released in a safe, coordinated effort last night. MEMA issued an informational message at 3:04 a.m. asking residents above Kekaulike and Haleakala highways between Upper Kimo and Waipoli roads to prepare for potential evacuation, but added that a follow-up message for evacuations would be issued if deemed necessary. At 7:30 p.m., MEMA sent an updated message that lifted the advisory for those residents.

INFO

Sign up for MEMA alerts at www.mauicounty.gov/MEMA and follow County of Maui on Facebook and Instagram.

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