State officials urge vigilance as wildfire weather conditions continue for leeward locations

Hawaiʻi Emergency Management urges vigilance and care as extreme fire danger conditions continue and the National Weather Service extended a red flag warning through Aug. 3 for leeward portions of the state.

That includes southern and western portions of Kauaʻi and all of Niʻihau.

Red flag warnings are a call to action, said Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Administrator James Barros in a release urging the public to take the red flag warning seriously, and the state has seen how just a single spark can have devastating — and deadly — consequences.

There is less than a week left until the 2-year anniversary of the Lahaina, Maui, wildfire. The massive blaze ripped through the historic West Maui community, destroying much of it and killing more than 100 people.

“It is everyone’s kuleana — our shared responsibility — to prevent ignition and protect our communities,” Barros said.

Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife manages fire response for nearly 60% of the state’s lands, but constrained personnel and equipment make wildfire mitigation and suppression challenging.

Non-native, fire-prone grasses and shrubs cover more than 25% of Hawaiʻi’s landscape, creating “fine fuels” that can spread fire rapidly and unpredictably.

Combined with warming, drier conditions, Hawaiʻi’s fire season is effectively year-round, with about 0.5% of state land burning each year — among the highest proportions in the nation.

This year’s state budget included additional staffing and funding for fire mitigation, as well as approval to reduce available fuels — i.e., dry vegetation and other combustible materials — on state lands not maintained by Division of Forestry and Wildlife.

Nearly all of Hawaiʻi’s wildfires are started by human activity, said Gov. Josh Green in the release, which also means nearly all of them are preventable.

“Residents and visitors alike have a role to play in reducing the risk,” the governor said. “Please take this warning seriously, avoid activities that can spark fires and do your part to keep our communities and ‘ohana safe.”

When Green said nearly all of the wildfires in the islands are started by human activity, that’s underselling the fact — about 99% are caused by people.

Whether it’s carelessly tossing a burning cigarette butt out the car window, leaving a campfire unattended, burning yard waste, sparks along roadways and powerline corridors or “hot work” such as welding that causes sparks, individual actions make a difference.

Residents and visitors can also help protect their homes and communities.

• Clear defensible space: Remove dry vegetation and combustible materials from around structures.
• Avoid activities that can start fires: Do not burn debris, discard cigarettes or use open flames outdoors.
• Maintain property: Clear gutters, trim fire-prone vegetation and secure loose items.
• Be evacuation-ready: Know at least two ways out of your neighborhood and have an emergency kit prepared.

Hawaiʻi Emergency Management continues to work with partner agencies and counties, using modern alert systems and enhanced public safety during fast-moving fire events.

“Wildfire preparedness is everyone’s kuleana — from individual homeowners and landowners to public land managers, large agricultural operations and even visitors,” said State Fire Marshal Dori Booth in the release. “We can — and must — all work together to build a safer, more resilient Hawaiʻi.”

Visit the National Weather Service Honolulu forecast office website for real-time updates on weather conditions and warnings and follow Hawaiʻi Emergency Management on X/Twitter @Hawaii_EMA.

Check out the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management website for additional information about wildfire conditions and preparedness.