Hawai'i County firefighters spent much of yesterday battling three brushfires in remote mauka areas of Kona.

The three fires — at Yee Hop Ranch, Hokukano Ranch and Kealakekua Ranch — were contained. Firefighters were close to extinguishing the Yee Hop and Hokukano Ranch fires but the Kealakekua fire could continue to burn for several days, according to a news release from Mayor Billy Kenoi's office.

Fire breaks were bulldozed around each fire and firefighters with heavy equipment continued to monitor each fire's progress. No injuries or property damage were reported yesterday.

"We will continue to have resources on scene and deploy what strategies we feel are prudent and most effective to mitigate the fires and minimize any threat to the community," Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira said in the release.

Firefighters were unable to use helicopters because of the high altitude of the fires. The Hokukano fire also was below a thick canopy of trees.

The Yee Hop and Kealakekua fires are believed to have been started by lightning.

The cause of the Hokukano fire was under investigation.

The state Department of Health was monitoring air quality and detected sporadic, elevated levels of particulates in the area, which may be attributable to vog and the fires.