On Friday, Aug. 24, at about 1 a.m., emergency personnel began responding to reports of a brush fire in the area of

Kauaula Valley in Lahaina. The fire has spread, and residents in the area are being evacuated.

As a result of rapidly spreading fire, and out of precaution, the Emergency Operating Center and Red Cross are in the process of evacuating people presently in the emergency shelter at Lahaina Intermediate School to Lahaina Civic Center. At last count there were 26 evacuees in the Lahaina Intermediate shelter.

At the present time, ten fire companies, tankers from both the Fire and Public Works Departments, and one battalion chief are at the scene.

Honoapiilani Highway is closed at Carl’s Junior in Maalaea and Shaw Street in Lahaina. Motorists should avoid the area.

A Lahainaluna Road resident who evacuated said power was out in Lahaina as of 5 a.m.