WAIKOLOA, Hawaii -- Two major brushfires are burning across the Big Island.

A brushfire in Waikoloa has charred more than 25,000 acres. Hawaii County Civil Defense said it was about 80 percent contained Wednesday afternoon.

A bigger concern for firefighters is a brushfire that started Tuesday night along Akonipule Highway in North Kohala.

It has burned about 1,800 acres so far and strong winds are adding to the problem. One home was threatened last night, but no one has been evacuated.

Big Island firefighters have been battling a runaway brushfire in Waikoloa for three days.

Evacuated residents were able to go back to their homes Wednesday.

Everything in Tanja Foulds's home smells like smoke and is covered with ash. Strong winds pushed the fire precariously close to homes Tuesday morning.

Hawaii County Civil Defense officials lifted the evacuation order at 5 a.m. Wednesday, allowing nearly 5,000 Waikoloa residents to go back to their homes.

No structures burned, but many homes have smoke damage.

Waikoloa Elementary School remained closed Wednesday.

The fire was first reported Monday afternoon near Waikoloa Stream. Dry weather and winds up to 20 mph made firefighting difficult.

Thick smoke is making visibility dangerous so police have closed Waikoloa Road at Junction 190 while firefighters beat back the flames.

The fire was a mile from Waikoloa Village and moving away Wednesday afternoon, but Civil Defense authorities are advising people to stay away from the area because of the heavy smoke.