JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
A large brush fire near Makaha Valley Towers didn't threaten any homes but covered the area in heavy smoke.
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Makaha acres burn
A brush fire devours 100-plus acres as smoke blankets the area near condos
Strong winds fanned the flames of a brush fire in Makaha last night, with thick smoke prompting the voluntary evacuation of condominium residents.
The fire had burned a little more than 100 acres behind the makai side of Makaha Valley Towers at 84-740 Kili Drive, and was not yet contained at about 8:30 p.m., a fire official said.
"The fire never threatened the buildings; the smoke threatened the buildings," said fire Capt. Frank Johnson. He said the air quality was poor with heavy smoke blanketing the area.
About 60 firefighters were fighting the fire, which was first reported at 3:12 p.m. About 40 Honolulu firefighters and 20 federal firefighters worked together to put out the blaze.
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Condominium residents watched from a stairwell as a large brush fire loomed near Makaha Valley Towers yesterday. Despite heavy smoke in the area, the blaze did not threaten any homes.
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One of the Honolulu Fire Department's helicopters made water drops before nightfall. Two helicopters were scheduled to resume water drops this morning.
The fire department recommended a voluntary evacuation at 5:15 p.m., Johnson said. But by 8:30 p.m. residents were returning, as the smoke had moved past the towers.
"A strong wind is blowing down the valley right now," Johnson said at 8:30 p.m.
Johnson described the fire as a large, slow-moving brush fire, and said the brush was pretty dry.
Another brush fire yesterday scorched an estimated 50 acres yesterday on Maui in the Lahaina area.
