About two-thirds of Hawaii’s acreage is abnormally dry, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, setting the stage for what local wildfire experts predict could be an extraordinarily active wildfire season in the islands.
People tend to think of the western United States when conjuring images of devastating wildfires. But as a percent of total land area, Hawaii’s wildfires burn as much or more land each year than any other state, studies show.
Last week a 1,400-acre brush fire that swept through guinea grass and eucalyptus trees in Paauilo on the Big Island did not torch any homes, but authorities said it was a close call. Wildfire experts and climate forecasters are predicting a particularly dry summer ahead, which could lead to an especially bad wildfire season.
A small fraction of land statewide — less than 1% on the Big Island’s west side — is already in severe drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.