As of 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, a fire that burned more than 25 acres near Maunaloa Highway in the mountains of the Puunana area, south of Maunaloa, is under control. Sgt. Tim Meyer of the Molokai Police Department said Tuesday afternoon that the blaze had been subdued and that firefighters were finishing clean-up operations.

Ten state, 10 county and 12 local firefighters were called to the scene near mile marker 12 West around noon Tuesday. Fire crews were aided by two helicopters, heavy equipment, and a water tanker. No injuries are reported and no structures were threatened. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. This is the third fire so far in 2008. 

The island has received far below average precipitation so far this year and drought conditions persist.