Forecasts for a dangerous brushfire season probably mean the department will have to contend with similar situations this summer.

Yesterday, about 130 firefighters turned out to fight four separate blazes during a two-hour period.

What had been a busy day for firefighters reached the critical point at about noon yesterday as 21 engine companies, seven tankers, three ladder companies and an HFD helicopter were used to fight major brushfires in 'Ewa Beach and Wai'anae, a building fire in Waipahu, and a scrap-metal fire at Campbell Industrial Park.

The building fire displaced dozens of people.

A scrap-metal fire at Campbell Industrial Park, reported at about 11:20 a.m. yesterday, burned into the late afternoon. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

"We consider brushfires to be a waste of manpower and resources but we still have to do it," Clark said. "Some people say let it burn but if we did that, flying embers landing on roofs might start house fires. At the same time, smoke and soot could pose numerous health problems."

A Level 3 situation, in which at least half of the fire companies are responding to a call such as a fire, are uncommon although yesterday was the second in three months. HFD previously was at Level 3 during a brushfire in May in Wai'anae.

The worst-case scenario in a Level 3 situation is to get another major alarm or two, such as a high-rise fire in Waikiki that would require 10 to 15 companies, Clark said. By prioritizing responses based on the risks posed to people's lives, the Fire Department could recall off-duty personnel and use additional resources to try to ensure that lives are not lost in worst-case scenarios, he noted.

"Where it would really happen," Clark said, "is if we took a major hit from a hurricane."

On Aniani Street in Waipahu, a fire burned a low-rise building with eight apartments. Six engine companies, two ladder companies and 35 firefighters responded to the blaze. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

The early brushfires were minor, burning about a half-acre each, but crunch time came with a succession of fires starting in the brush between Iroquois and North roads in 'Ewa Beach at 11 a.m. HFD dedicated six engine companies, three tankers, a helicopter and 37 men to the fires, which scorched about 50 acres, according to Tejada.

Work on the 'Ewa Beach fire was just starting when firefighters were called to the Hawai'i Metal Recycling Co. plant at Campbell Industrial Park at 11:20 a.m. A fire was burning from the bottom vehicles piled about two stories high in an area about the size of a football field, said HFD HazMat 2 Capt. Roy Murakami.

Firefighters shot water onto the pile while specialists removed vehicles.

"Pulling off the cars reduces the stack so the water can get down," said Murakami, who noted that insulation and plastic from the junked car were fueling the fire. "Anytime you have black smoke it's not good. But it's blowing out to sea so we have the wind to our advantage for now."

The conditions forced O'ahu Civil Defense to close roads in the back beach area of the park, preventing employees of Germaine's Luau from going to work. Paulette Watson, Germaine's director of sales, said last night's sold-out lu'au was canceled at 3 p.m. and that the company contacted or left messages for all those with reservations.

Four engine companies, a ladder truck and HazMat responded to the scrap-metal fire, Tejada said.

The third fire, at a two-story wooden structure at 94-241 Aniani Place in Waipahu, was reported at 12:41 p.m. "The structure was 25 percent involved by the time we got there," Tejada said. Thirty-six people living in eight units at the address were displaced by the fire, which caused damage estimated at $500,000, added Tejada.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Six engine companies, two ladder companies and 35 men responded to the Waipahu fire.

The fourth fire was reported at 1 p.m. Five engine companies, four tankers, the helicopter and about 33 firefighters battled the brushfire between Lualualei Naval Road and Ili'ili Road in Nanakuli, Tejada said. The fire had burned about 125 acres of military property and four acres of private property by early evening, he said.

The Fire Department has 56 front-line units. The move to go to Level 3 was made with 25 units out of service, Clark said. An additional 10 companies, undergoing maintenance or training, were declared "out of service" but could have been used if needed, he said.