Red Flag Warning Spurs Wildfire Risk, Power Shutoff Watch Across Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi is currently under a heightened wildfire threat due to a combination of strong winds, low humidity, and ongoing drought conditions, prompting the National Weather Service to issue red flag warnings for leeward areas of all islands and interior sections of Hawaiʻi Island. In response, Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda has enacted a burn ban to reduce wildfire risks. Hawaiian Electric is monitoring the situation closely and has placed some areas under a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) watch, meaning power may be proactively shut off in high-risk communities if conditions worsen, though no shutoffs have occurred yet. Residents are urged to prepare by charging devices, checking emergency equipment, and having backup plans, especially for those reliant on electrically powered medical equipment. Authorities emphasize the importance of avoiding outdoor burning and spark-producing activities, and caution the public to stay away from downed power lines and report emergencies promptly. These precautionary measures follow the destructive Maui fires of 2023, underscoring the severe threat wildfires pose to Hawaii's communities and natural resources.