LOGIN

Hawaii Wildfires Engulf Houses and Lead to Evacuations; Strong Winds Hamper Firefighting Efforts

by Andrew Wright
5 comments
Wildfires

Strong winds in Hawaii have exacerbated wildfires that have burned numerous buildings, necessitated evacuations, and resulted in power failures in various communities late on Tuesday. Firefighters faced difficulty accessing certain areas blocked by fallen trees and power lines.

Hurricane Dora, positioned at a secure distance of 500 miles (805 kilometers) to the south of the archipelago, was partially responsible for the winds exceeding 60 mph (97 kph). These winds caused power loss, shook homes, and grounded firefighting helicopters as darkness set in.

Acting Governor Sylvia Luke declared a state of emergency in place of Gov. Josh Green, who was away, and called in the Hawaii National Guard.

In Maui, fire teams were working to contain fires in two main locations: the popular tourist spot of West Maui and a mountainous inland region. The number of structures burned was not immediately clear, according to County of Maui spokesperson Mahina Martin, who spoke late on Tuesday.

The strong wind gusts hindered helicopters from water bombing the flames or assessing the accurate size of the fires, Martin explained. Firefighters also had to navigate roads obstructed by downed trees and power lines. About 13,000 Maui residents were without electricity, as Hawaiian Electric announced on Tuesday night.

Multiple fires and evacuations in various district areas made this “one of the more challenging days for our island,” Martin remarked.

Inland Maui saw wind speeds of 80 mph (129 kph), causing a previously-contained fire to reignite. Fire Assistant Chief Jeff Giesea warned of the rapid spread of fire due to the winds.

Hurricane Dora added complexity to the firefighting efforts during an already arid season. The situation was further intensified by Hawaii’s position between high pressure to the north and Hurricane Dora’s low pressure system, creating a hazardous fire environment, as explained by meteorologist Jeff Powell in Honolulu.

He described the wildfires as an indirect consequence of Hurricane Dora, terming them a “peripheral result” of the storm’s winds.

In Maui’s Kula area, two houses were lost to a fire that covered around 1,100 acres (1.7 square miles, or 4.5 square kilometers), according to Maui Mayor Richard Bissen, who also reported the evacuation of about 80 individuals from 40 homes.

Big Island Mayor Mitch Roth discussed the evacuation of approximately 400 homes in four northern communities, where a house’s roof had ignited.

The nature of Hawaii’s fires, typically smaller and occurring in the islands’ dry grasslands, differs from mainland U.S. fires. Historically rare in Hawaii and other tropical islands, fires can cause significant environmental harm, such as damage to coral reefs through soil erosion.

A significant fire on the Big Island in 2021 resulted in the destruction of homes and the evacuation of thousands.

Oahu, including Honolulu, was also grappling with power failures, fallen power lines, and traffic issues, as reported by Adam Weintraub, communication director for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.

Warnings for high winds and dangerous fire weather were in effect, Powell mentioned, with conditions anticipated to subside by Wednesday and into Thursday.

___ Audrey McAvoy, a writer for Big Big News, contributed to the coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Wildfires

What caused the wildfires in Hawaii and their escalation?

The wildfires in Hawaii were fueled by strong winds, reaching gusts above 60 mph (97 kph), which were partly caused by the passing Hurricane Dora, located at a safe distance of 500 miles (805 kilometers) from the islands. These winds knocked out power, rattled homes, and impeded firefighting efforts.

How did the wildfires impact the affected areas?

The wildfires led to the destruction of multiple structures, forced evacuations of residents, and caused power outages in several communities. Firefighters faced challenges in accessing some areas due to fallen trees and power lines, hindering their firefighting efforts.

What actions were taken by authorities in response to the wildfires?

Acting Governor Sylvia Luke issued an emergency proclamation and activated the Hawaii National Guard. Fire crews worked tirelessly to contain the blazes concentrated in two areas: West Maui and an inland, mountainous region.

How did Hurricane Dora contribute to the situation?

While positioned at a safe distance from the island chain, Hurricane Dora’s winds, exceeding 60 mph (97 kph), intensified the wildfires’ spread and complexity. The unique geographic position of Hawaii between high pressure to the north and the low pressure system of Hurricane Dora created an environment conducive to rapid fire spread.

What challenges did firefighters face in battling the wildfires?

The strong wind gusts prevented firefighting helicopters from deploying water to control the fires or accurately assessing their size. Moreover, firefighters encountered blocked roads due to fallen trees and power lines, hampering their access to affected areas.

How do these wildfires differ from those in the U.S. West?

Unlike the wildfires in the U.S. West, Hawaii’s fires tend to ignite in large grasslands on the dry sides of the islands and are generally smaller in scale. These fires pose a unique challenge to the region due to their impact on native ecosystems and the potential for environmental damage, particularly in terms of soil erosion affecting coral reefs.

Are these wildfires a direct result of Hurricane Dora?

The wildfires are not a direct result of Hurricane Dora, but rather a “peripheral result” of the hurricane’s winds. While the hurricane itself was positioned at a safe distance, its winds contributed to the conditions that intensified the fires and complicated firefighting efforts.

What are the weather conditions expected in the coming days?

The National Weather Service had issued a high wind warning and red flag warnings for dangerous fire weather. These conditions were anticipated to persist through Tuesday, gradually decreasing on Wednesday and into Thursday.

More about Wildfires

You may also like

5 comments

naturegirl August 9, 2023 - 8:29 am

hawaii’s fires dancin’ with the winds. hurricane dora’s playin’ tricks, makin’ things worse. trees down, fires spreadin’, no water from the skies. firefighters fightin’ hard, but dang, it’s tough.

Reply
oceanlover August 10, 2023 - 12:01 am

oh no, hawaii’s paradise turnin’ to chaos. wild fires everywhere, blame it on those gusty winds and hurricane dora. homes gone, folks runnin’, power’s out. stay safe, everyone!

Reply
firefly87 August 10, 2023 - 12:12 am

dude, hawaii’s burnin’! winds goin’ wild from hurricane dora, knockin’ out power, causin’ evacuations. fire crews strugglin’, trees down, roads blocked. rough time!

Reply
emma22 August 10, 2023 - 4:07 am

hawaii wildfires, such a big mess! strong winds, hurricane dora, omg. buildings burnin’, people evacuatin’, power out, fightin’ so tough.

Reply
adventurebound August 10, 2023 - 5:56 am

just when you think hawaii’s all beaches and palm trees, bam! wildfires breakin’ out, winds goin’ nuts. hurricane dora’s distant cousin causin’ chaos. homes vanishin’, power dyin’, firefighters battlin’. hang in there, hawaii!

Reply

Leave a Comment

logo-site-white

BNB - Big Big News is a news portal that offers the latest news from around the world. BNB - Big Big News focuses on providing readers with the most up-to-date information from the U.S. and abroad, covering a wide range of topics, including politics, sports, entertainment, business, health, and more.

newsletter

Editors' Picks

US Adds 209,000 Jobs in June, Demonstrating Resilient Economy

Thrill Seekers Flock to Spain’s San Fermin Festival for First Running of the Bulls Security Incident Involving Britney Spears and Spurs Rookie Victor Wembanyama in Las Vegas Introducing Threads: Meta’s Answer to Twitter—All Your Questions Answered

Latest News

New Laws Criminalizing Voter Assistance Specifically Target Asian Americans Thrill Seekers Flock to Spain’s San Fermin Festival for... US Adds 209,000 Jobs in June, Demonstrating Resilient Economy Biden launches a new push to limit health care...

© 2023 BBN - Big Big News

Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube Envelope