The Maui News / BRIAN PERRY photo
An Alaska Airlines jet takes off at Kahului Airport on Saturday afternoon with smoke from a brush fire on Stable Road rising into the sky.
The Maui News / BRIAN PERRY photo
Flames can be seen in the distance under the tail wing of an
aircraft Saturday afternoon at Kahului Airport.
One resident was evacuated, he said, but no structures were lost. There was some roof damage because of flying embers, he added.
The fire next to the airport's main 7,000-foot runway was not significantly affecting airport operations, said Marvin Moniz, the airport district manager.
The flight patterns of helicopters were being changed somewhat while two helicopters were making water drops, he said. But fortunately winds were blowing smoke away from the airfield and the airport terminal.
"There's no visibility problems," he said.
The fire's flames were being fanned by winds gusting at 35 to 40 mph, Moniz said.
Smoke and ash were being carried toward Kahului, Wailuku and Waiehu, making those areas of Central Maui hazy.
The fire was reported at 10:18 a.m., and after 1 p.m. it was estimated to have blackened 15 to 20 acres, although dense smoke made it difficult to accurately determine the blaze's size, Mainaga said.
Airport rescue fire crews were assisting Maui firefighters from Kahului, Paia, Lahaina, Wailea, Kihei and Makawao, he said. The Fire Department's Air One helicopter was making water drops with another helicopter, and bulldozers and water tankers from the county Department of Public Works also were helping to fight the blaze.
Source: http://www.mauinews.com
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