A series of brushfires plagued Leeward O'ahu last week, one of which was concentrated in Kipapa Gulch near the Royal Kunia suburb.

The fire began Wednesday and burned about 225 acres in the gulch, sending smoke into the Royal Kunia, Village Park and Waikele neighborhoods.

Unlike the larger brushfire in Nanakuli earlier in the week, the Central O'ahu fire did not force any significant road closures or threaten homes, Honolulu Fire Department officials said.

The fire in Kipapa Gulch closed the Royal Kunia Golf Course as the fire department's Air One helicopter made frequent trips to scoop water from the course's lake.

Two military Chinook and Black Hawk helicopters also assisted with water drops, drawing their water from the ocean. Twenty fire department companies responded to the 1:30 p.m. alarm on Wednesday.

Fire crews were able to corral the flames when the fire burned down to Able Road in the gulch below Royal Kunia.

The next day, there was a new flare-up in a different part of the gulch and officials said they suspected it was intentionally set.

Fire crews had busy week on Leeward side