KAUNAKAKAI, Molokai » This small town smells like burnt kiawe wood today in the aftermath of a two-day brush fire that left blackened hills, scorched back doors and singed lawns in its wake.

No homes were destroyed, but Molokai residents said it was the worst fire in their memory. The burning forest cut a vivid, eerie orange glow against the evening sky, and smoke veiled the full moon in a reddish cloudy color.

Manpower came pouring into Molokai yesterday, relieving resident firefighters like Doug Lopes who had battled the blaze for some 30 hours. The brush fire taxed one Molokai firefighter who had to be treated for exhaustion, and another fireman suffered a minor eye injury.

“;We haven't had anything this large in all the 16 years that I've been here,”; said Molokai Fire Capt. Henry Lindo. “;This is the one that really taxed our personnel because of how large it was and the way it spread.”;

One of the five original firefighters on duty when the fire call came in 11:20 a.m. Saturday, Lopes sat exhausted and grimy as he leaned against a soda machine last night.

Reinforcements from Maui and Oahu coordinated the continued fight against the blaze.

“;I feel happy that no homes were lost,”; Lopes said. “;Community volunteers, that was the key to what we did in terms of saving homes and containing the fire.”;

All of Molokai's 15 available firefighters were pressed into service for some 30 hours before relief came at 4 p.m. yesterday from 16 Maui firemen.

Another 18 from Honolulu arrived at 6:30 p.m., followed by yet-another 39 from Oahu who arrived at 8:15 p.m.