Fire crews appear to be gaining the upper hand on the fire in Haleakalā National Park. that forced the closure of the popular attraction.
The Crater Road Fire is 70% contained and has burned 355 acres.
According to the Maui Fire Department, the fire’s smoke plume is caused by burning hot spots in a grove of eucalyptus trees and can be seen from miles away.
The grove on the mountainside flank of the fire intensified during the course of the night.
The department reassures that there is no need to worry because there are many resources currently fighting the fire.
Five Mau Fire Department crews, Air One, Air Two, a Blackhawk, a Chinook, two tankers, five dozers, ten National Parks employees, and a 27-person wildland crew from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife are among the numerous people involved in the massive firefighting effort.
MFD is also collaborating closely with the forestry and parks teams in a coordinated effort to cool the tree line and supply ground support.
The eucalyptus grove may cause the affected acreage to increase even though the fire’s forward progress has stopped.
There have still been no reports of injuries or structural damage. The elevation at which the fire is located is roughly 7,000 feet.
County Water Supply Director John Stufflebean assures that there are currently no concerns regarding the safety of Upcountry drinking water. However, in the event that there are any threats to the system, the Department of Water Supply is ready to act quickly.
Crater Road and Haleakalā National Park. still remain closed to the public until further notice.
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