Firefighters contained a brushfire behind Kamaile Elementary School in Makaha at 7:30 last night after an eight-hour battle.

Fire Department spokesman Capt. Frank Johnson said the fire burned more than 300 acres but did not damage any property. The last company left the scene at 7:30 p.m. and firefighters will return today to check on the situation.

No injuries were reported.

Sixty firefighters on the ground and four helicopters — two from HFD, one from the National Guard and another privately owned — were involved in yesterday's firefight. The fire started at 11 a.m. It was not known what started the fire.

Although the winds had worked in the firefighters' favor — blowing smoke and fire up the mountain and away from any homes and buildings — nearby Kamaile Elementary had to move some third-graders from classrooms nearest the fire. Along with students in kindergarten through second grade who were prevented from going to their classrooms, they were moved to the cafeteria and library as a precaution. Johnson said about 300 students were affected.

"The fire chief determined that it was dangerous for them, and we wanted to move them out of harm's way," said principal Glen Kila. "The students stayed in the cafeteria and library, and the learning didn't stop. The teachers brought their books and read to the kids, or they were doing their math lessons."

Kila said after about 90 minutes firefighters said it was safe for students to return to their classes.

"We were fortunate in that the winds were blowing in off the ocean," Johnson said. "The school is toward the front of the valley and the fire was toward the back of the valley. ... We've had some good conditions and there have been no structures in the general area of the fire."

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com and Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.