A fast-moving brush fire blackened about 30 acres and threatened neighboring homes in Makakilo on Monday afternoon.
Some 60 firefighters from 19 companies battled the blaze as gusty wind fanned it across a low, grassy area adjacent to the H-1 freeway, through a quarry and up along a hillside bordering residences along Kulihi Street.
The fire was first reported at 3:15 p.m., and within a half-hour had spread up steep terrain on the opposite side of the quarry, according to area residents.
It was considered 60 percent contained as of 5:30 p.m., with firefighters dispatched throughout the affected area dousing dozens of small hot spots.
Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. David Jenkins said no injuries were reported and no homes caught fire. Damage estimates, if any, were undetermined pending close inspection of area properties.
While there was no official evacuation, police canvassed the neighborhood alerting residents to the status of the fire and informing them of an evacuation shelter established at Makakilo Community Park by the American Red Cross Hawaii State Chapter.
Traffic along the H-1 slowed to a creep as one westbound lane was closed for emergency vehicles and heavy smoke drifted across the freeway.
Ohio Street neighbors Jessica McDonald and Kristy Balli watched the action from McDonald’s lawn, taking note of where the blaze melted another neighbor’s fence across the cul-de-sac.
McDonald said she has witnessed three brush fires since she moved to the neighborhood six years ago. Monday’s fire, she said, was the worst.
"It’s the closest it’s come to reaching the homes here," she said. "The firefighters did a really good job of responding because the fire moved so quickly."
Balli said residents in the area texted and used the Nextdoor private network application to keep one another informed of the unfolding situation.
Jenkins credited the good upkeep of area properties with preventing the loss of homes due to the fire.
"A lot of the backyards are very well manicured and maintained," Jenkins said. "There wasn’t a lot of excess brush to further fuel the fire, and that played a big part in keeping properties safe."
Dry conditions typically correlate with an uptick in brush fires during the summer months, Jenkins said.
On May 27, HFD is hosting a news conference at Magic Island to share tips on preventing wildland fires.
