In this Action Guide, we hope to provide tips and tools you need to prepare for a wildland fire threat (Ready), have situational awareness when a fire starts (Set), and to evacuate early (Go!).
Wildfire LOOKOUT! Flyer
Click to enlarge the front page of the flyer.
Wildfires are a frequent and significant hazard across Hawaii.
Help do your part by preventing wildfire and following these 14 easy action ideas to prepare your home, family, and community.
2017 Wildfire in Hawaii - PFX Annual Summary
Check out this brand new resource to learn how the wildfire season went in Hawaii in 2017 with this Pacific Fire Exchange fact sheet. Download the full fact sheet by clicking the button below.
"Every wildfire incident is part of a larger pattern of wildfire occurrence and is an opportunity to gain experience and insight for wildfire management. Taking a look at both the big picture and individual fires can: Deepen and expand our understanding of wildfire drivers, behavior, and response; improve wildfire response, management, and science; reduce negative impacts on individuals, communities, natural resources, and response agency budgets."
Wildfire in Hawaii Factsheet
Did you know that the average area burned per year in Hawaii has increased 400% over the past century? Check out this Pacific Fire Exchange fact sheet that presents Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization's State Wildfire History Map and Dr. Clay Trauernichts' key findings from his research on the scale and scope of wildfire in Hawaii.
"Over the past decade, an average of >1000 wildfires burned >17,000 acres each year in Hawai‘i, with the percentage of total land area burned comparable to and often exceeding figures for the fire-prone western US (Fig. 1). Humans have caused much of the increase in wildfire threat by increasing the abundance of ignitions (Fig. 2) and introducing nonnative, fire-prone grasses and shrubs. Nonnative grasslands and shrublands now cover nearly one quarter of Hawaii's total land area and, together with a warming, drying climate and year round fire season, greatly increase the incidence of larger fires (Fig. 3), especially in leeward areas. Wildfires were once limited in Hawai‘i to active volcanic eruptions and infrequent dry lightning strikes. However, the dramatic increase in wildfire prevalence poses serious threats to human safety, infrastructure, agricultural production, cultural resources, native ecosystems, watershed functioning, and nearshore coastal resources statewide."
Hawaii Wildfire Impacts Flyer
Hawaii has a devastating wildfire problem. While under-publicized nationally, the scale and scope of wildfires in Hawaii are extreme. Take a look and please share widely!
Wildfire & Drought Look Out! Video News Release
Wildfire & Drought Look Out! - 1st Press Release
Hidden Victims of the Nanakuli Fire (VIDEO)
The Nanakuli Fire in March of 2016 threatened a number of homes along the edges of the valley. However, some precious native plants were also in the path of the destructive fire. Here's the story behind what happened and the larger lesson of how wildfires impact Hawaii's native ecosystems.
El Niño and Fire Weather on Pacific Islands
The current (2015-2016), strong El Niño is forecast to bring drier conditions to our region this summer and beyond. This PFX fact sheet illustrates how droughts under prior El Niños have resulted in extensive fires across the region. This indicates the current forecast is an opportunity to plan and increase preparedness for conditions of higher fire danger.
Wildfire, Watersheds and Forests in Hawaii (VIDEO)
Lisa Hadway, former administrator of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife discusses the environmental and economic impacts of wildfires on Hawaii's native forests.
Fire footage is from a fire on January 23, 2015 that burned approximately 460 acres of mostly intact native forest in the Kipapa drainage above Mililani Mauka.