A Hawaii brush fire so large it could be seen from outer space triggered the temporary evacuation of nearly 600 people as it tore through about 10,000 acres of old sugar cane fields and dry vegetation, according to new reports.

The inferno broke out in Central Maui on Thursday morning and quickly spiraled out of control, burning some 16 square miles and prompting road closures as firefighters worked to contain it, Hawaii News Now reported.

By about 2:30 p.m., emergency management officials issued alerts to mobile phones that read: “ KIHEI RESIDENTS NORTH OF OHUKAI RD EVACUATE NOW. KAMALII SCHOOL SHELTER OPEN NOW,” according to the report.

Just over an hour later, residents of Maalaea, due west of the initial evacuation, also were ordered to seek shelter, according to the report.

Officials at the Maui Humane Society were even forced to evacuate hundreds of animals — including cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, a tortoise and birds — as the blaze neared the area, the outlet reported.

“We are asking everyone to conserve energy, conserve water, and do what you can to be prepared,” Mayor Mike Victorino said at the time. “If you need to evacuate, please be aware of what’s going on around you.”

Winds blowing between 15 and 20 miles per hour, with higher gusts, fanned the flames, according to the report. At least two helicopters were conducting water drops.

The cloud of smoke from the blaze was so huge that it could be seen from outer space, video from the National Weather Service in Honolulu shows.

Some flights to the island’s main airport in Kahului were also temporarily diverted.

The blaze was still considered “uncontained” by early Friday Hawaii time and considered an “active threat,” but residents were allowed to return to their homes — partly because the winds had died down Thursday night, according to the report.