U.S. Navy and Guam fire officials are investigating the cause of a grass fire that burned about 2,300 acres and forced the temporary evacuation of 10 homes Sunday at the Naval Magazine in Santa Rita village.

The fire was reported early Sunday afternoon, said Petty Officer 2nd Class Benjamin Keller, U.S. Naval Base Guam spokesman. Santa Rita residents returned to their homes about 9 p.m. Sunday after Navy and Guam firefighters and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 gained control of the fire.

No injuries were reported. No homes burned, but smoke damaged some houses, according to a Navy news release. No damage was reported to any military structures, Keller said.

Roads that were closed as part of the emergency response were open Monday.

Residents with questions or concerns may call Guam Civil Defense at 482-1177.

The Naval Magazine occupies about 8,800 acres and is a wildlife refuge. The Navy maintains and stores ordnance at the magazine for units operating in the Western Pacific.

Kunsan airman’s court-martial beginsPYEONGTAEK, South Korea — An airman Monday was facing court-martial at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea on an accusation of rape, officials said.

If convicted, Senior Airman Wayne Williams could face a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole, according to an 8th Fighter Wing spokesman at Kunsan.

Preliminaries in the general court-martial began Monday before Lt. Col. Eric Dillow, military judge for the Pacific Circuit, out of Yokota Air Base, Japan.

Jury selection was expected to begin Tuesday.

Wing officials Monday would not immediately disclose when, where, and in what circumstances the alleged rape occurred.

Black History Month contest winners namedYONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea — The United States Army Troop Command-Korea, in conjunction with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., selected 17 students as winners in the Area II 2006 Black History Month Essay/Poster contest.

This year’s contest theme was “What African-American has impacted your life, and how can you make history too?”

The winners, from Seoul American elementary, middle and high schools, are:

K-first grade: A.J. Giddings, first place; Lauren Green, second place; and Sarah Cummings, third place.Second-third grade: Graham Forrester, first place; David Neaverth, second place; and Crishauna Rolack, third place.Fourth-fifth grade: Kim Muk-Cho, first place; Samuel Hargrove, second place; Tatiana Wynder, third place; and MinHee Pak and Madelaine Braggs, honorable mentions.Sixth-eighth grade: Claire Madsen, first place; Priscilla Boatwright, second place; and Adley Fower, third place.Ninth-12th grade: Alina Chong, first place; Nadia Christian, second place; and Denise Ocanas, third place.More than 200 students participated. First-place winners received $100, second-place winners earned $50 and third-place finishers earned $25.