(The Guardian) A growing threat of wildfire in Hawaii
Long before fast-moving flames descended on the historic town of Lahaina, the growing threats of catastrophic fire in western Maui were clear. Acres of abandoned farmland that line the picturesque coastal communities played perfect host to invasive grasses that are primed to burn, creating tinderbox conditions as the island’s landscapes dried and warmed.
Devastating blazes, once a rarity across Hawaii, are increasing in furiousness and scale, driving a 400% increase in average area burned across the archipelago in the last century. The growing threat has outpaced preparedness measures and the resources available to fight them.
This week’s tragedy, expected to be one of the deadliest fire disasters to hit the island chain, marks a grim milestone in an escalating issue. As crews continue to try to contain the flames and assess the devastating toll the fires have taken on lives and livelihoods, experts are expecting a long recovery – and warning of a fiery future. “That is one of the devastating parts here – we knew this could happen,” said Andrea Barretto, the co-executive director of the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, a non-profit dedicated to prevention and recovery. “The reality of our fire risk is we are just now catching up to it.”
The organization released a preparedness plan for west Maui communities roughly a decade ago, and Maui county listed Lahaina and other nearby communities at risk of wildfire damage in its hazard mitigation plan, last updated in 2020. The threats have only increased in recent years, according to Barretto, who added that limited resources have further stifled preparedness efforts as conditions intensified. “They are doing the very best considering the limitations and challenges they are experiencing,” she said of the fire crews who are spread thin. “We haven’t had a lot of experience with these devastating fires,” Barerro added. “You can have a plan on paper, but it doesn’t mean it is going to turn into effective implementation unless you have practiced it.”
Long before fast-moving flames descended on the historic town of Lahaina, the growing threats of catastrophic fire in western Maui were clear. Acres of abandoned farmland that line the picturesque coastal communities played perfect host to invasive grasses that are primed to burn, creating tinderbox conditions as the island’s landscapes dried and warmed.
Devastating blazes, once a rarity across Hawaii, are increasing in furiousness and scale, driving a 400% increase in average area burned across the archipelago in the last century. The growing threat has outpaced preparedness measures and the resources available to fight them.
This week’s tragedy, expected to be one of the deadliest fire disasters to hit the island chain, marks a grim milestone in an escalating issue. As crews continue to try to contain the flames and assess the devastating toll the fires have taken on lives and livelihoods, experts are expecting a long recovery – and warning of a fiery future. “That is one of the devastating parts here – we knew this could happen,” said Andrea Barretto, the co-executive director of the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, a non-profit dedicated to prevention and recovery. “The reality of our fire risk is we are just now catching up to it.”
The organization released a preparedness plan for west Maui communities roughly a decade ago, and Maui county listed Lahaina and other nearby communities at risk of wildfire damage in its hazard mitigation plan, last updated in 2020. The threats have only increased in recent years, according to Barretto, who added that limited resources have further stifled preparedness efforts as conditions intensified. “They are doing the very best considering the limitations and challenges they are experiencing,” she said of the fire crews who are spread thin. “We haven’t had a lot of experience with these devastating fires,” Barerro added. “You can have a plan on paper, but it doesn’t mean it is going to turn into effective implementation unless you have practiced it.”
