300 acres burn in Waianae brush fire

Wind blows the blaze into the mountains, leaving schools and houses safe

Nature worked in favor of firefighters and Waianae residents, who were spared from Oahu's largest brush fire so far this year.

Two helicopters and 13 firefighting companies battled a blaze yesterday behind Kamaile Elementary School on Ala Akau Lane in Waianae.

Wind blew the fire away from the school and surrounding homes. The brush fire instead snaked up the hillside behind the school, burning about 300 acres as of last night.

"It's been difficult for us to fight it up in the mountain area," said acting fire spokesman Capt. Frank Johnson. "But it's been very helpful for the residents and all the structures down here. Nothing was affected."

There were no injuries or evacuations. No endangered species were threatened either, Johnson said.

"It's wrapping the mountain, so the fire is being fought in different areas," Johnson said. "It's all on vacant land."

The fire had not been extinguished when fire companies were recalled from the scene at nightfall. "We'll keep an eye on it overnight and units will return in the morning," Johnson said.

Children at Kamaile Elementary and Waianae Intermediate schools played in the fields while in the background the scorched earth smoldered.

As a precaution, firefighters moved the Kamaile children away from two buildings closest to the fire and into the cafeteria and library.

"The fire was pretty far deep into the valley," said Kamaile Vice Principal Dale Arakaki. "But of course, our main concern was to make sure our campus was safe."

Arakaki said that although school didn't let out, some parents did come by the school to pick up their children. Dolly Vierra, who lives on Ala Akau Lane, was one of them.

Her son, 8-year-old Richard, has slight asthmatic attacks and she was concerned about the smoke.

"I didn't know it was this bad," said the 49-year-old resident, who has lived on the street for 30 years. "It's been awhile since we've seen one this big."

Johnson said a cause had yet to be determined. He said residents should be vigilant in keeping an eye out for blazes as as the brush fire season approaches.

Johnson noted that summer is the usual time for brush fires, "but the brush here is tall and dry," he said. "This is the biggest one so far this year, and we're hoping it's the last big one."