The Honolulu Fire Department had a quieter New Year's overall this past three-day weekend than last year, according to statistics released yesterday.

HFD said it responded to 64 fireworks-related fires and 90 other fires from Saturday through Monday, compared with 83 and 117, respectively, the year before.

In both years, fireworks-related fires during the three-day holiday period accounted for slightly more than 41 percent of the total.

The fire department said there were 49 brushfires during the recent three-day period and that fireworks started 26 of them.

Fireworks also caused 22 of 53 rubbish fires and nine of 19 trash container fires during the same period.

"Our goal is no fires, no injuries," said HFD spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada. "The numbers were a little more encouraging but the sightings of (illegal) aerials seem to have gone up. People need to realize they're playing with explosives."

HFD reported 9,232 firecracker-purchase permits were issued in 2006, compared with 13,981 in 2005.

Tejada also reported HFD responded to 455 emergency incidents over the weekend, compared with 473 in 2005-06 and 366 in 2004-05.