A full day of drizzly weather lessened the threat of brushfires on Kaua'i yesterday, according to county Fire Chief Robert Westerman.

"I don't know how much (rain) we've really had, but any kind of heavy moisture like this really helps," he said .

"I don't think we've had a significant enough rain to change the dry overall conditions, but the little bit of rain helps. It increases the moisture content of the plants and makes it harder for them to burn," he said.

Firefighting crews returned yesterday to the Hule'ia National Wildlife Refuge — the site of a fire that started Sunday night — to douse smoldering hot spots, Westerman said.