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Bare electrical wire and leaning poles on Maui were possible cause of deadly fires

by Sophia Chen
4 comments
wildfire ignition

Possible Ignition Source for Deadly Maui Fires: Bare Electrical Wires and Leaning Poles

The devastating Maui fires, fueled by high winds and dry conditions, revealed a potential culprit behind the rapid spread of flames. Analysis of videos and images by The Big Big News confirmed that bare electrical wires slapping onto dry grass, after power poles were brought down by the strong winds, could have triggered the outbreak of fires. The wires, lacking insulation and made of uninsulated metal, were prone to sparking on contact.

Hawaiian Electric Company was found to have left miles of these exposed wires vulnerable to the elements and often-hidden foliage. This practice was in contrast to the efforts of other utility companies in areas prone to wildfires and hurricanes, who have chosen to either cover up their lines or bury them for added safety.

A significant concern was the state of Hawaiian Electric’s power poles, the majority of which were constructed to a dated “1960s standard.” Many were leaning and close to the end of their projected lifespans. These poles failed to meet the 2002 national standard requiring key components of the electrical grid in Hawaii to withstand wind speeds of up to 105 miles per hour. In a 2019 filing, the utility acknowledged falling behind in replacing these aging wooden poles due to competing priorities, and warned of the potential “serious public hazard” if they were to fail.

Videos taken before the fires from Google Street View indicated the presence of these bare wires on leaning poles.

Experts noted that insulated cables would have been less likely to spark and cause fires in dry vegetation. Michael Ahern, formerly the director of power systems at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, stated that a fully-insulated cable would have a lower chance of triggering ignition.

Hawaiian Electric responded by emphasizing its commitment to addressing climate change threats and its investments in grid reinforcement and vegetation management. However, the company did not confirm whether the specific power lines that collapsed during the initial fire outbreak were indeed bare wires.

Critics, including Jennifer Potter, a former member of the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, pointed out that many of Maui’s wooden power poles were in poor condition, often leaning due to prolonged exposure to strong winds. This compromised infrastructure was ill-prepared to withstand the force of windstorms and posed a substantial risk.

Legal actions ensued against Hawaiian Electric, alleging its responsibility for the deadliest wildfire in the United States in over a century. The death toll stood at 115, with expectations of further increases. The utility faced criticism for not proactively shutting off power amid high wind warnings and keeping power on as the fire unfolded and poles fell.

Other utility companies, like Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison, have taken steps to address the issue of bare wires and have implemented measures such as burying lines and replacing overhead distribution lines with covered wire in high fire risk areas.

The tragedy shed light on the need for utilities to adapt to changing climate conditions by reinforcing infrastructure and adopting new safety protocols. As the U.S. faces more frequent and severe wildfires, experts and advocates stress the importance of preventing utility-caused wildfires through proactive measures, such as insulating overhead lines and ensuring poles are resilient against extreme weather events.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about wildfire ignition

What caused the Maui wildfires to spread rapidly?

The Maui wildfires spread rapidly due to a combination of high winds, dry conditions, and the presence of exposed bare electrical wires slapping onto dry grass. These wires lacked insulation and could spark upon contact, igniting the flames.

Why were the bare electrical wires significant?

The bare electrical wires, lacking insulation and made of uninsulated metal, posed a significant ignition risk. When they came into contact with dry grass, they could create sparks that rapidly fueled the spread of the wildfires.

What was the condition of Hawaiian Electric’s power poles?

Many of Hawaiian Electric’s power poles were leaning and near the end of their projected lifespan. These poles were not in compliance with the 2002 national standard for withstanding high winds. Their compromised state contributed to the vulnerability of the electrical grid during the fire.

Did Hawaiian Electric take any preventive measures?

Hawaiian Electric emphasized its commitment to addressing climate change threats and had invested millions of dollars in grid reinforcement and vegetation management. However, the utility did not confirm whether the specific power lines that collapsed were bare wires.

What legal actions were taken against Hawaiian Electric?

Hawaiian Electric faced legal actions holding it responsible for the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century. The utility was criticized for not proactively shutting off power amid high wind warnings and keeping power on as the fire unfolded and poles fell.

How are other utility companies addressing similar concerns?

Other utility companies, like Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison, have taken steps to address similar concerns by implementing measures such as burying lines and replacing overhead distribution lines with covered wire in high fire risk areas.

What lessons can be learned from this tragedy?

The tragedy underscores the importance of adapting utility infrastructure to changing climate conditions, reinforcing infrastructure, and adopting new safety protocols. Proactive measures, such as insulating overhead lines and ensuring poles are resilient against extreme weather events, are crucial to prevent utility-caused wildfires.

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4 comments

Jake123 August 27, 2023 - 2:30 pm

oh man, this is like, super scary stuff! those wires just going zap and boom, igniting the whole place, crazy stuff happening there.

Reply
EcoWarrior August 27, 2023 - 3:36 pm

climate change hitting hard, utilities gotta step up game. insulation, burying lines, protecting nature, that’s the way forward. wildfires hurt everyone.

Reply
CryptoKing August 27, 2023 - 11:16 pm

i wonder if they gonna update their infrastructure now, crypto mining needs power, can’t have it all burning up, man.

Reply
Serena92 August 27, 2023 - 11:35 pm

hawaiian electric got some explaining to do, leaving those wires all bare and stuff. and them old poles just falling over like dominoes? not cool.

Reply

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