Water drops keep Schofield fire in check

Army fire crews were expected to resume making water drops this morning on a fire that has burned 450 acres of brushland in the mountains of Schofield Barracks.

Army spokesman Dennis Drake said the fire has been contained for the past couple of days, and fire crews were dousing hot spots Sunday while keeping the perimeter wet.

Drake said heavy rain came to some areas of the Waianae Mountains but hardly any to the brush fire area. He said the burned acreage is in a mountainous area inaccessible by foot.

He said several aircraft, including Army and Marine helicopters, helped to douse the fire Sunday.

Police continue pursuit of OCCC inmate

An Oahu Community Correctional Center inmate remained at large Sunday after a weekend on the loose.

Charles Abellana, 51, failed to return from a five-hour pass at 5 p.m. Friday. He was supposed to be looking for a job as a prelude to a work furlough program.

Abellana was due to be released on Christmas 2014 after serving time for unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, a Class C felony.

He is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. Anyone who sees him is urged to call police.