Nearby fire closes
Waianae clinic

Firefighters were battling two brush fires on the Leeward Coast last night -- one in Nanakuli that's burning into its sixth day and a new fire that broke out last night near Leihoku Elementary School in Waianae.

The brush fire prompted the closure of the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center for about an hour last night. Hospital officials said the emergency room was closed to new patients as a precaution, in case flames spread over the ridge and an evacuation of the hospital became necessary.

However, no injuries or property damage was reported last night.

Some fire units that had been monitoring the Nanakuli fire were diverted to Leihoku Elementary School as that fire spread.

The Nanakuli brush fire that was nearly under control on Friday flared up again yesterday afternoon spread by strong tradewinds.

The fire, situated in the back of Nanakuli Valley, started Tuesday and has burned more than 2,000 acres.

About 70 city and federal firefighters worked yesterday to stop the fire's spread, after winds whipped up flames about 2:30 p.m.

The tradewinds, said Fire Capt. Emmit Kane, "really picked up and started blowing embers into unburned areas." He said the winds were gusting at about 30 mph, but were blowing away from homes.

The flames were inaccessible by foot yesterday, and water drops by air were stopped after sunset. Kane said helicopters would be making water drops at first light.

"We're working up as many helicopters to conduct air drops as soon as we can," Kane said. "The fire is well away from the homes ... but we'll be watching it closely. And we have plans in place in the event that it does change."

Oahu Civil Defense opened an emergency shelter at Maili Elementary School for people with respiratory problems who might be affected by the thick smoke from the fire.

The Nanakuli fire is considered suspicious, Kane said. Police are investigating and following up on leads, he added.