WAIALUA — For the third day, area residents were on alert to evacuate from a steadily expanding wildfire that had scorched more than 5,000 acres along the Kaukonahua Road that links Schofield Barracks to Waialua.

The blaze crisscrossed the upper Waialua plains as strong winds fanned the flames. As many as 130 firefighters, five helicopters and 27 companies have waged battle only to see the winds shift and the fire move to a new fuel source.

"The fire is not contained," said Capt. Terry Seelig, Fire Department spokesman. "It never has been fully contained. Now it's so big it's running in many directions."

Residents were hoping rains from Hurricane Flossie would help firefighters with their efforts.

"The helicopters cannot do too much," said Calvin Otake, who operates Otake Store in Waialua. "I hope the rain puts them all out."

The fire came close to the store twice, and Otake said he'll keep an eye out for any changes.

"I watch it from the back of the store, so I can see if it comes down," he said.

The Fire Department last night issued an advisory for residents to be prepared to evacuate.

By midday yesterday, the fire had spread to Army property in the area of Wheeler Army Airfield and Schofield Barracks, and smoke was suffocating parts of the Wai'anae Coast, Seelig said. The American Red Cross and the city Department of Emergency Management had opened a shelter at Nanakuli Beach Park for residents who wanted to get away from the smoke.

About 11:20 a.m. yesterday, the wildfire spread to the Schofield Barracks Army installation, a news release from the post said. There was no threat to military housing on Schofield and no housing areas were being evacuated.

FEDERAL HELP

The federal Fire Department and military personnel, including the garrison's installation Fire and Safety Office, were assisting with fire-control efforts, an Army news release said.

Waialua residents tried to go about their normal lives despite the persistent flames. Ramey Klun, with North Shore Work Out, said the Waialua business was slower than normal and she blamed the fire.

"It's never like this slow," Klun said, adding that customers who came in complained about the traffic and the inconvenience since Kaukonahua Road was closed.

Klun said the fire came dangerously close to the building and people were packing up and getting ready to leave Monday.

But with all the brush that's burned, she said she's more comfortable at her home across the street from work. She's hoping for rain.

"Hopefully," she said, "the hurricane will bring rain."

COVERED IN SOOT

Tina Jensen, whose home and plant nursery business at the Poamoho Estate subdivision are surrounded by burned-out fields, said everything inside and outside the home is covered in soot. Although the fire has moved from her home, she was told to be prepared to evacuate if necessary.

She's confident her home is safe because it's made of steel and concrete and has a heavy metal roof. Also, Jensen said the Fire Department command post is right outside her door. But she's still playing it safe.

"We're just leaving all the irrigation on," she said. "We've soaked the perimeter. It was on all day Sunday and Sunday night."

Once the fire is under control, the city will be eligible for some federal funds.

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye announced yesterday that Hawai'i and the City and County of Honolulu can recoup some of the cost of fighting the fire under the Federal Emergency Management Agency fire management assistance program.

The governments will be reimbursed 75 percent of their approved expenses in fighting the brushfire, Inouye said in a news release.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.