KEN IGE / KIGE@STARBULLETIN.COM
A firefighter checked out the remaining burning area at a brush fire yesterday in the hills above Waialua High School.
Firefighters battled a wild fire that blackened about 20 acres of brush in Makua this morning -- the fourth major brush fire on Oahu in 10 days. Firefighters
contain Makua fireBy Rod Antone
rantone@starbulletin.comFirefighters contained the 1:45 a.m. fire, which was in a remote area on south side of the valley between Makua Cave and the military training area.
Yesterday about 50 to 60 firefighters battled a 100-acre brush fire in Waialua.
Firefighters said the fire began at 12:22 a.m. near 67-172 Farrington Hwy. in hills above Waialua High and Intermediate School.
While flames did not threaten any homes, toxic smoke from burning tires forced fire crews to evacuate 15 to 17 people about 2 p.m. from two homes and a monastery.
"There was a pile of tires which caught on fire and created thick black smoke which we were concerned about, but we allowed them to go back around 3:30 p.m," Fire Capt. Richard Soo said.
The tires were in an area used as a dump by the former property owners, Waialua Sugar, said Capt. Kenison Tejada. A rancher also evacuated horses from a pen.
By nightfall, fire crews contained the fire to one area but were still working to extinguish it.
Fire officials said the toughest area was the dump because there were a lot of flames underground which were hard to get to.
By 9:15 p.m., firefighters wrapped up and planned to come back today to finish putting out hot spots.
Fire officials did not know how the fire started. Officials also continue to investigate the cause of the two brush fires in Waianae last week. The Waianae fires swept through more than 1,500 acres.
Nelson Daranciang contributed to this report.
