Hurricane Lane’s heavy rains help douse Maui brush fire

Heavy rains from Hurricane Lane are bringing welcome relief to Lahaina residents and firefighters facing a wind-whipped brush fire that reportedly burned at least 300 acres and several homes, injured at least one resident and forced the evacuation of hundreds of others today. Honoapiilani Highway, the main traffic artery connecting West Maui to the rest of the island, was opened in both directions by 9:30 a.m. The highway had been closed for hours after the fire was reported around 12:45 a.m. in Kauaula Valley. The American Red Cross shelter that had been set up at Lahaina Intermediate School in anticipation of the hurricane was in the path of the fire and was relocated to the Lahaina Civic Center, where about 300 storm and fire evacuees had checked in and an additional 200 were outside awaiting further developments. Video by Christie Wilson. Read more at www.staradvertiser.com