What is a Wildfire?
A wildfire is large, destructive fire that spreads quickly over woodland or brush. Oahu’s wildfire risk is increasing as development encroaches on wild lands without sufficient defensible space at the wildland/urban interface, or the area where undeveloped wildlands meet developed areas.
Unlike the continental United States, Hawaii’s ecosystem—like that of other Pacific islands— has traditionally existed with very limited presence of wildfire and as a result does not adapt well to wildfire. According to local biologists, many native plants are only a wildfire away from extinction.
Fortunately property damage on Oahu due to wildfires has been minimal to date although many acres of wildlands have been burnt in recent years. However, changing climate conditions – increasing heat and drought – are increasing wildfire risk in the Hawaiian islands each year.
Wildfires generally grow and spread due to a number of factors coming together to create increased fire risk. Learn more about each one by hovering over the boxes below:
High Winds
High Winds
Low Humidity
Low Humidity
Overgrown or Dry Vegetation
Overgrown or Dry Vegetation
The National Weather Service issues forecast alerts called Fire Weather Watches or Red Flag Warnings when the combination of dry fuels and weather conditions indicate extreme fire danger.
A Fire Weather Watch means that conditions are such that an increased fire risk is likely to occur sometime in the near future. Fire Weather Watches are generally issued 12-48 hours in advance of expected conditions.
A Red Flag Warning means that conditions are ideal for wildfire combustion and spread. This mean that a combination of high winds, low humidity, and other factors come together to increase fire risk. Red Flag Warnings are issued when these conditions are occurring or are likely in the very near future.
Am I at risk where I live?
While some areas are more prone to wildfire risk than others, no home is completely without risk of a fire due to natural and human-caused conditions. You can assess the risk to your home based on a few criteria:
Drought conditions increase wildfire risk. For current drought notices visit the Hawaii Drought Monitor site to view current notices or restrictions in effect for the county to determine if your home is located in an area that is experiencing drought.
Determine if your property has enough defensible space, a buffer or safety zone, of at 30 feet surrounding your home. Learn more from the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization.
Many communities on Oahu have limited exit routes. If you live in an area with limited routes in and out, you should be prepared to evacuate early if there is a fire event.
How do I stay safe?
Did you know that 99% of wildfires in Hawaii are started by people, mostly by accident? It takes everyone to prevent wildfires, help do your part!
Learn more about preventing wildfires from the Honolulu Fire Department.
Things to do TODAY
Today is the time to take action to both reduce the risk of wildfires starting and your personal risk if there is a wildfire in your area.
Every family is unique and so is every family’s emergency plan. Think about what special people, pets, or circumstances you should plan for. Do you have keiki or kupuna who might need extra help in an emergency? Do you have a pet that you need to pack food or a crate for? What about your power requirements? Do you need electricity for medical devices? Identify the needs and make a plan for each member of the family ahead of time so you can be confident you can take care of your family in an emergency.
Every emergency plan should include some essential things:
- Know if you will have to evacuate your home.
- A location where your family plans to meet if you need to evacuate or are separated.
- Contact information for family members, friends, workplaces, medical providers, and other important contacts. Establish an off-island or out-of-state contact that everyone in your family knows to contact in the event on-island communications are limited.
Learn more at honolulu.gov/dem/preparedness/make-plan.
Some disasters or emergencies like wildfires require quick evacuation. This can occur with little warning, and there may not be enough time to take your entire family disaster supply kit with you.
A Go Bag should provide enough quick-access supplies to get you through the initial phases of an emergency and evacuation. You should have one bag for each member of your household.
Find out what to include in your Evacuation Go Bag at honolulu.gov/dem/build-a-kit.
It is important that you know what factors may impact your neighborhood specifically in a wildfire situation. Learn more in the the “Am I at risk where I live?” section above.
Check the NOAA National Weather Service Honolulu weather forecast at https://www.weather.gov/hfo/ for weather and flood alerts before starting cooking fires, using equipment that may spark, or doing other activities that have increased fire risk.
The Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization has many resources for residents to help decrease your fire risk. Visit their website to see what actions you can take today to create defensible space around your home. hwmo.org/get-prepared-materials.
When a Wildfire is a Threat
In the event of a wildfire, it is critical that you are able to take action quickly.
- Monitor local radio and TV stations for emergency information and important updates.
- Review your family emergency plan with all members of your household.
- Prepare to evacuate in case you need to. Make sure you have your evacuation go bag ready.
- Have mobile cell phones charged and have an external charger for each
A wildfire is a fast-moving and extremely life-threatening disaster. If you are ordered to evacuate, do so immediately.
After a Wildfire
After a wildfire, make sure you are staying safe while you assess damage or begin clean up efforts.
Continuously monitor TV (if working) and radio for instructions. Authorities will announce when it is safe to go outside and/or to return to your home.
Be aware of hazards, i.e. down power lines, broken gas lines, contaminated water, weakened structures, broken glass, etc. Debris on roadways will limit your ability to drive around.
When assessing damage, take photos to document your losses.