Red Flag Warning through Friday for gusty winds, low humidity

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect until 6 p.m. HST, Friday, and possibly into Saturday. The affected areas include leeward portions of all Hawaiian Islands and interior sections of the Big Island.

Winds will be strongest over and downwind of terrain.

Winds are forecast out of the east at 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph on Oʻahu and
Kauaʻi, and gusts up to 50 mph on Maui County and Hawaiʻi Island.

Relative humidity will be lowering to 35 to 45% each afternoon.

“We cannot afford to be careless when conditions are this dangerous,” said Gov. Josh Green, M.D.. “Nearly all of Hawaiʻi’s wildfires are started by human activity, which means nearly all of them are preventable. Every person in our state — residents and visitors alike – has a role to play in reducing the risk. Please take this warning seriously, avoid activities that can spark fires and do your part to keep our communities and ‘ohana safe.”

“Red Flag Warnings are a serious call to action,” said James Barros, HIEMA Administrator. “A single spark can have devastating consequences. It is everyone’s kuleana — our shared responsibility — to prevent ignition and protect our communities.”

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. A Red Flag Warning does not predict new fire starts.

Nearly 99 % of wildfires in Hawaiʻi are caused by human activity, including careless disposal of cigarette butts, unattended campfires, “hot work” such as welding that uses machinery causing sparks, burning of yard waste, and sparks along roadways and powerline corridors (dlnr.hawaii.gov). Individual actions make the difference.

As a precaution, outdoor burning is not recommended. Heat from vehicle exhaust systems can ignite dry grass. Cars should be parked on areas that are paved or where vegetation is trimmed and cleared.

High winds contribute to wildfire hazard. Activities that could throw off sparks should be delayed until the wind dies down.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

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 (hwmo.org). 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.

Resource challenges and community preparedness

The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) manages fire response across nearly 60% of Hawaiʻi’s lands, but constrained personnel and equipment make wildfire mitigation and suppression challenging. This year’s state budget included additional staffing and funding for fire mitigation, as well as approval to reduce fuels on state lands not maintained by DOFAW.

Residents and visitors can also help protect their homes and communities by:

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

Infrastructure and evacuation challenges

HIEMA continues to work with partnering agencies and counties, utilizing modernized 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. “We must all work together to build a safer, more resilient Hawaiʻi.”

For real-time updates on weather conditions and warnings, visit the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov/hfo and follow HIEMA on X (formerly Twitter) at @Hawaii_EMA. For more information on wildfire conditions and preparedness, visit https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/wildfire/.