A brushfire near the Big Island's Waipi'o lookout today prompted officials to evacuate 15 area residents to Honoka'a Gym.

The noon fire burned 5 to 8 acres of underbrush in a eucalyptus forest mauka of Waipi'o Road, the Hawai'i County Fire Department said. Strong winds curtailed efforts to drop water via helicopters. Bulldozers were brought in to try to contain the fire and protect homes at Waipi'o lookout.