The gulch mauka of the Pi’ilani Highway in area of North-South Collector Road Corridor, between Ka’ono’ulu and Kulanihakoi, flared up about 1:00 PM this afternoon (4/16/14), bringing MFD from Kihei and Wailea stations, as well as water dropping helicopter. The chopper made numerous drops, ceasing just before 3:00 PM. We believe the fire flared up again near 5:00 PM which brought several trucks to the scene again until well past 6:00 PM.
Much of the adjacent land north of the gulch has been littered with various natural and man made debris for years, which provided much fire fuel, but hot hard work by our firefighters stopped it just before it reached homes on Mali Mali. Note picture of white fence at rear of one home seemingly warped or melted by fire heat.
About two years ago KCA wrote to land owner requesting clean up of this area to no avail. Part of the parcel was sold to mainland developer over year ago, with tentative plans for residential apartment complex.
Following pix made before 3:00 PM when fire area access was restricted.
Traffic build up on P Hwy as smoke and flames in gulch approach roadway
Betsil Bros gate opens for Fire Trucks
“Tanking up” on Hoomaluhia PL about 2:30 PM WED
Truck uses N-S corridor going North from gulch fire
Full tanker heads for fire site
This set (blow) after 5:30 PM while burning just closer to gulch, but we had access to area burned earlier
Just due north of the existing fire- lots of fuel?
North edge of fire, just mauka of path
Smoke arising for gulch afire(upper quarter of oic) w/firefire just above the gulch
Fire burned to mauka edge of path- makai edge are N Kihei residents on Mali Mali near Alulike intersection
Trucks at North dead end of Kenolio extending North from Kulanikakoi
Rear of home at Mali Mali, corner of Alulike, abou 15′ from burned area
Burned out area shows lots more fire fuel, before controled by fire fighters
Looking South down path approaching gulch
Gulch fires burning about 540 PM on Wed.
Lots of fire fuel
Home at gulch edge on MaliMali- fencing appers to be smoke stained and melted
Firefighters using branches and firehoses at gulch base
Area north of fire littered with various materails
Path extend mauka from N-S main path
FINALLY A FEW MORE CAPTURED THE FOLLOWIN MORNING (4/17/14)
Looking South toward Gulch
Looking North from gulch
Kulanihakoi Gulch looking Mauka
Fire was not in gulch itself, but land North of it
Fire “that close” to homes
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