HONOLULU -- Forecasters on Tuesday said they expect winds to change and fuel the Molokai brush fire on Wednesday.

Images: Molokai Brush Fire

Firefighters contained 50 percent of the large brush fire on Molokai, Maui County officials said.

The brush fire remains in the upper forest area above Kaunakakai. While the fire has been contained partially it cannot be considered "under control," Maui County Civil Defense administrator Gen Iinuma said.

The fire came dangerously close to about 100 homes over the weekend.

Firefighters monitored the perimeter of the fire on the residential side for potential flare-ups. State and county teams worked to clear brush surrounding the area and expanded the firebreak to further protect residential areas.

"We're cutting with bulldozers, putting in extra distance between the fuel and the population," Iinuma said.

State officials on Tuesday scheduled an aerial tour of the fire damage on Molokai.

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona and Hawaii Civil Defense Vice Director Ed Teixeira flew to the Friendly Isle to meet with Maui County fire and civil defense officials.

Maui's Civil Defense said there has been overwhelming cooperation and collaboration between different agencies and the community.

"Support from the community has been tremendous. They come and they bring food and water and a lot of encouragement and their words of appreciation, especially those folks that have been impacted by the fire," Iinuma said.

The fire scorched about 8,000 acres near Kaunakakai.

The Department of Education reopened the four schools it closed on Monday.