Several wildfires, spurred by strong winds from Hurricane Dora, have caused damage, evacuations, and power outages across Hawaii, with Governor Sylvia Luke declaring an emergency.
The Situation: Hawaii’s wildfires have burnt multiple structures, compelling evacuations, and causing power outages late Tuesday.
* Strong winds from Hurricane Dora, which is about 500 miles (805 kilometers) south of the island chain, knocked out power and grounded firefighting helicopters.
* Firefighters were struggling to reach certain areas due to down trees and power lines.
* Maui was hit hard with multiple fires in two key areas: tourist hotspot West Maui and an inland, mountainous region.
Response and Impact: An emergency proclamation has been issued and the Hawaii National Guard activated.
* Firefighting efforts have been hampered due to conditions preventing helicopters from dumping water on the fires, and roads blocked by the downed trees and power lines.
* Approximately 13,000 customers in Maui are without power as reported by Hawaiian Electric on Tuesday night.
* In Maui’s Kula area, at least two homes were destroyed covering about 1,100 acres, leading to the evacuation of around 80 people from 40 homes.
The Fire Characteristics: Hawaii’s wildfires are generally distinct from mainland fires.
* Fires in Hawaii typically occur in large grasslands on the arid sides of the islands and are usually smaller than mainland U.S. fires.
* Before human arrival, fires were rare on tropical islands, including Hawaii, meaning environments evolved without fire, leading to serious environmental damage when fires do occur.
Weather Influence and Future Expectation: The weather conditions have turned more dangerous but are expected to improve on Wednesday and into Thursday.
* High pressure to the north and a low pressure system linked to Hurricane Dora has led to dry and gusty conditions, leading to rapid spread of the fires.
* High wind warnings and red flag warnings for dangerous fire weather are in effect, but these conditions are expected to decrease over the following days.
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