Alert: Today's forecast includes a cautionary signal for heightened conditions
Hawaii Under Red Flag Warning: Urgent Call to Prevent Wildfires
Hawaii is currently under a red flag warning, with state and county officials urging the public to take immediate action to prevent wildfires. The warning, extended by the National Weather Service (NWS), covers the leeward sides of all Hawaiian Islands and the interior sections of the Big Island, and remains in effect until 6 p.m. Saturday.
The NWS has warned that critical fire weather conditions will persist through Saturday afternoon, with east winds of 15 to 30 mph, and gusts of up to 50 mph on Hawaii Island. Relative humidity is expected to drop to 35% to 45% in the afternoon hours on Saturday, creating a ripe environment for any fire that starts to spread rapidly.
Gov. Josh Green has encouraged the public to take the warning seriously and avoid activities that can spark fires. He has urged vigilance and caution due to the dangerous fire conditions, and stressed that the safety of communities and 'ohana is dependent on the public's efforts to prevent wildfires.
Nearly all of Hawaii's wildfires are started by human activity, making them preventable. To help prevent wildfires during this red flag warning, outdoor burning and the use of open flames are banned under emergency proclamations to reduce wildfire risk. Activities such as grinding, which can create sparks, are also restricted to prevent ignition sources.
Residents and visitors alike are urged to do their part in reducing the risk of wildfires. In addition to avoiding outdoor burning and open flames, it's important to be aware of any activities that might generate sparks or flames, such as welding or using power tools. The emphasis is on preventing any ignition that could start a wildfire under these hazardous conditions.
The NWS has also warned that winds will begin a slow decline on Sunday, but near critical fire weather conditions are expected to persist in leeward areas. Hawaiian Electric has encouraged residents to be prepared for potential power outages initiated as precautionary measures.
In conclusion, during this red flag warning in Hawaii, it's crucial to avoid activities that could spark a fire, such as outdoor burning and the use of open flames. By working together, we can help keep our communities and 'ohana safe from the danger of wildfires.
- The weather forecasting from the National Weather Service (NWS) predicts critical fire weather conditions to persist through Saturday afternoon, making it essential for residents and visitors to avoid activities that could spark fires to help with wildfire prevention.
- Given the threatening fire weather conditions, the current Hawaiian weather forecast indicates that wildfire-prone activities like outdoor burning, open flames, welding, or using power tools should be avoided during this red flag warning to ensure the safety of communities and 'ohana.
