Hawaii Brushfire Leads to Evacuations

CLE ELUM, Wash. (AP) -- The Latest on the wildfires burning in the U.S. West (all times local):

10:15 a.m.

A large brushfire has led to evacuations and road closures on the on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

The fire forced evacuations for area businesses and about a dozen residents whose homes were threatened. Hikers trapped near the fire were flown to safety.

Intermittent highway closures have snarled traffic.

More than 9 square miles had burned on Maui as of Saturday night.

The fire is burning toward a subdivision on the Hawaiian island of Maui, The Maui News reports .

Crews are standing by to prevent the blaze in Maalaea from reaching the homes.

Maui County Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto said in a news release an earlier fire sparked by a downed electrical line flared up Saturday afternoon and spread quickly in 40 mph winds.

Maui Electric Co. officials say the fire and strong winds broke an electrical line and about 16,000 people lost power for a few hours.

Rescue centers are set up at the War Memorial in Wailuku and Lahaina Civic Center.

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9:05 a.m.

Fire crews have contained a wildfire in central Washington's Kittitas County.

Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman Debbie Robinson said there is still a lot of heat and heavy snags in the fire that's burning just less than a square mile of brush and timber about 5 miles east of Cle Elum.

Authorities hope to have the fire controlled by Sunday evening. Strong winds are expected in the region for the next few days.

Six homes in the area were evacuated and some roads were closed on Saturday because of the fire. Robinson said Highway 10 was opened on Sunday and that the homeowners may be allowed back to their residences soon.

Investigators haven't determined what caused the fire.

(KA)