Firefighters continued to douse occasional hot spots in the aftermath of a brushfire that sent flames rushing down a hillside toward a Wai'anae neighborhood on Friday, but authorities said the homes were well out of danger yesterday.

Brushfires, many of them intentionally set, have been rampant this year.

Honolulu Fire Department statistics show there have been 695 brushfires through yesterday — exceeding all of last year's total by more than a hundred, HFD Capt. Kenison Tejada said.

Authorities suspect that Friday's fire in Wai'anae was intentionally started in a nearby cemetery, Tejada said.

Police and firefighters have urged local residents to be on the lookout for people starting fires maliciously and to call 911 when suspicious behavior is seen.

Small brushfires and rubbish fires were reported across the island yesterday, but all were quickly extinguished and posed no threat, firefighters said.

"Small kine," Tejada said. "Nothing big."

The fire on Friday loomed larger as residents watched the flames bearing down toward them.

It was originally reported about 3:40 p.m. as smoke on a Wai'anae ridge line.

The fire spread quickly downhill, advancing within 50 feet of houses along Wai'anae Valley Road.

About 70 firefighters and the HFD helicopter worked quickly to stop the flames from spreading.

They brought the fire under control by 5:45 p.m.

By that time, about 60 acres were burned.