Massive brush fire in Hawaii causes power outages, threatens homes
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A massive brush in Hawaii has caused widespread power outages and road closures and has threatened homes on Saturday.
According to KITV, about 6,000 acres have been burned as authorities in Maui investigate the cause of the fire. Fire officials believe that it may have started due to a flare up from a separate wildfire that started early Saturday morning due to downed power lines.
Officials closed a stretch of highway as a precautionary measure.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}West Maui and South Maui residents are mostly without power. Officials said power began to be restored in West Maui at around 4 p.m., according to the station.
A resident told the station that homes are being threatened by the brush fire. Maui Electric also said that some stores on the island are being evacuated because of the high winds.
Officials said helicopters and tankers are being used to combat the flames.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A separate brush fire on the island is also burning. Officials said that fire started at around 7 a.m. and it’s burning in the middle of a sugar cane field.
No injuries have been reported in the fires.