Hawaii Wildfires: Is climate change making the Island more prone to wildfires?

The island of Hawaii is currently grappling with one of the most devastating wildfires in recent American history, and experts agree that climate change is a major reason. Has climate change contributed in making Hawaii more susceptible to wildfires?

Outlook International Desk

Updated on: 10 August 2023 10:02 pm

Experts reveal climate change as a significant cause of Hawaii wildfires

One of the most destructive wildfires in modern American history is presently raging on the island of Hawaii, and experts broadly agree that climate change is a major contributing cause.
Scientists and experts have long warned of the far-reaching consequences of climate change, and Hawaii is not immune to its impact.

This new hazard, the risk of wildfires caused by the consequences of climate change, is surrounding the peaceful beauty of Hawaii's lush landscapes and breathtaking beaches. Recent research and local wildfire reports present a worrying image of a paradise under attack as the Hawaiian islands become more vulnerable to destructive wildfires due to rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns. The ongoing wildfires in Hawaii’s second largest island- Maui island, serve as the most recent example of this phenomenon.

According to experts, climate change coupled with dry vegetation, heavy winds, increasing drought episodes are some of the factors that have contributed to the wildfires.

In recent years, Hawaii has witnessed a series of wildfire outbreaks that have tested the resilience of its ecosystems and strained firefighting resources. Hawaii has witnessed these devastating flames caused by hurricane-related winds for the second time in five years.

Scientists and those who work to prevent wildfires claim that a number of factors are making flames more dangerous and could result in more disastrous catastrophes if prompt action is not taken. These include the spread of flammable non-native grasses throughout abandoned agricultural lands, as well as insufficient vegetation management and the lack of community fire-resistance measures. In addition, climate change is supporting stronger hurricanes and may be a factor in Hawaii's drier-than-normal weather.

Even in the typical summertime weather, Hawaii frequently experiences strong winds with gusts of up to 40 mph. According to statistics from the Weather Service, this week's winds that swept through the islands and fanned the flames were particularly strong, with gusts reaching 82 mph on the Big Island and Oahu and 67 mph on Maui.