Windy, dry conditions raising fire risks in Hawaii

Forecasters are warning windy and dry conditions could increase the risk of fires spreading in the leeward portions of each Hawaii island, just three weeks after a deadly wildfire ripped through Maui. 

The National Weather Service (NWS) of Honolulu on Wednesday issued a Red Flag Warning through Thursday afternoon for gusty winds and low humidity. Forecasters noted the wind gusts will not be as strong as Aug, 8, when the wildfires broke out on Maui and burned through thousands of acres of land, especially in the historic town of Lahaina. 

The Aug. 8 event marked the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century, leaving at least 115 people dead and destroying thousands of structures.

On Thursday, winds are expected to be 15 to 30 mph with gusts of 40 to 50 mph while humidity levels are predicted to be 35 to 45 percent, forecasters said. During the Maui wildfires, parts of Hawaii saw wind gusts of more than 80 mph, the weather service noted.

“There is a magnitude difference between the wind speeds in this event versus August 8th,” Maureen Ballard, a meteorologist at the agency’s Honolulu office, told The Associated Press.

“A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly,” the NWS wrote in an advisory, noting a Red Flag warning does not forecast new fires starting.

Forecasters warned against outdoor burning and advised residents to park cars in areas that are paved or where vegetation is trimmed or cleared to avoid heat from vehicle exhaust systems. 

Lahaina’s fire earlier this month was driven by winds from both Hurricane Dora and a very high-pressure system to the north of the islands. Investigators have not determined an exact cause, though Hawaii’s electric utility acknowledged downed power lines may have started the first wildfire on Maui. 

The Associated Press contributed.