More than 50 firefighters turned out to handle a nasty brushfire yesterday between Central O'ahu Regional Park and the Waikele subdivision. A helicopter was used to dump water on the blaze that scorched 15 to 17 acres, said fire Capt. Robert Main.

He said no homes were damaged, although there was about $500 damage to a fence in one resident's backyard. Some people left their homes because of smoke, but no evacuations were ordered by the Fire Department, Main said.

The Red Cross was on hand to assist people, but Main said there were no reports of injuries. The fire was reported at 3:09 p.m. and under control by 5:15 p.m., he said.

Many people in the park or in homes in the area turned out to watch the fire. Federal firefighters from the Pearl Harbor area also helped fight it, Main said.

The weather has been "extremely dry," he said, and people should be aware of the danger of brushfires now. "There's a lot of fuel out there that has been cured, and it's ready to go," he said.

Main urged residents to keep brush cleared away from their homes.

Reach John Windrow at jwindrow@honoluluadvertiser.com.