The Lahaina community faced a serious hazard last week, with a brush fire that burned over 2,100 acres and came close to Launiupoko homes and Lahainaluna Road houses and schools.

Maui firefighters, once again, did a great job containing the perimeter of the fire to protect homes and structures.

Mayor Michael Victorino on Thursday thanked “… our firefighters and community partners, including State of Hawaii Forestry personnel, Goodfellow Bros. and West Maui Land Co.,” for their efforts to fight the blaze over multiple days and nights.

The Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization emphasized that wildfires have great impacts on Maui Nui residents and natural resources, affecting:

Daily life (road closures, traffic, evacuations, post-fire flooding, taxpayer dollars);

Human health and safety (dust, smoke, water quality, burned homes and structures, resident and firefighter safety);

Ecosystem health and resilience (watersheds, forests, coral reefs, fisheries).

This most recent fire is a reminder for residents to be aware of hazards in their area and prepare evacuation plans for their families.

Winter is coming, with a greater threat of damaging flooding.

Find resources through the Maui Emergency Management Agency via mauicounty.gov, and sign up for MEMA’s Emergency Alert Program.