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Brushfire in Hawaii leads to evacuations, road closures

Click to play video: 'Wildfire spreads in Hawaii burning 6,000 acres of land'
Wildfire spreads in Hawaii burning 6,000 acres of land
WATCH ABOVE; Wildfire spreads in Hawaii burning 6,000 acres of land – Jul 3, 2016

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.

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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.

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

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