Big Island residents who had evacuated because of a brushfire in South Kohala were cleared to return home last night.

Residents in 40 houses on Mahua Street in Kamuela View Estates were evacuated at 3:40 p.m. yesterday because of smoke from a "runaway" brushfire, said Troy Kindred, Big Island Civil Defense administrator.

The fire started around 2 p.m. on the ocean side of Kohala Mountain Road, or Highway 250, near the 4-mile marker, he said.

Firefighters cut firebreaks and smoky conditions had improved enough by 7:30 p.m. to allow residents to return home.

"We don't feel they are at risk right now," Kindred said. The wind had died down and the smoke hazard had diminished, he said.

A shelter was temporarily set up at the Waimea Community Center but later closed when the evacuation was called off.

The fire had moved to within a quarter-mile of homes during the day but caused no property damage, said Kindred.

The Hawai'i County Fire Department suspects the brushfire may have been caused by downed power lines. The firebreaks were cut by bulldozers to protect homes. Helicopters dropped water on the flames and ground crews fought the fire, officials said.

Fire crews were to continue working through the night, with a night watch monitoring homes in the area.

By 5 p.m. yesterday, the fire had burned about 160 acres.

Fueled by winds of 15 to 18 mph, it was moving northeast from Kohala Mountain Road toward Kawaihae Road, according to fire officials.

Seventeen county, eight military and eight volunteer firefighters were involved in fighting the blaze yesterday. They were using three helicopters and three bulldozers, among other equipment.

The Big Island had more than its share of scares this week. Hurricane Flossie passed within 100 miles of the island on Tuesday but caused no major damage. An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.4 rattled the island Monday night, but it also resulted in no injuries or major damage.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.