As the summer months bring dry and windy conditions, the risk of wildfires increases significantly in Hawaii. The recent devastating wildfire in Lahaina town in August 2023 underscored the urgency for enhanced awareness and preparedness among residents.
In light of this threat, Hawaiian Electric Co. and the Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization are collaborating to dispel five common myths surrounding wildfires and prevention tactics.
Jim Alberts, Hawaiian Electric’s senior vice president and chief operations officer, emphasized the importance of community awareness.
“The more we know, the more we can prepare. By working together, we can increase our awareness of wildfire risks and take measures to protect ourselves,” Alberts stated.
Elizabeth Pickett, executive director of the Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization, echoed these sentiments.
“Now that public awareness of the threat of wildfires is growing, it’s vital to ground that urgency in accurate information and collective action. This challenges us to build lasting resilience together,” Pickett noted.
The first myth highlighted by the organizations concerns preparation time for wildfires. Many believe they have sufficient time to react before a fire threatens their homes. However, wildfires can strike quickly and without warning, making preparation critical at all times of the year.
Residents are encouraged to review their emergency plans, safeguard their properties, and prepare a ‘go bag’ with essential items.
“Waiting too long to evacuate can significantly increase your risk and hinder first responders’ efforts,” the organizations warned.
The second myth deals with Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). Some people assume these shutoffs only occur during Red Flag warnings, but wildfires may arise outside those conditions.
While Hawaiian Electric may shut off power in high-risk areas to prevent ignitions that could lead to wildfires, such measures are based on various criteria that do not solely depend on weather warnings.
Persistent drought, high wind gusts, and humidity levels below 45% are all factors in deciding whether to implement a power shutoff.
The organizations emphasize the importance of understanding how these criteria work.
The third myth is that once weather conditions improve, the risk of fire diminishes, and power services can be restored immediately.
However, even after conditions improve, dangers may still linger. If high winds lead to outages or if a PSPS was activated, crews must assess and repair any damage before restoring power.
“Restoring power too soon can lead to sparks that ignite fires, so inspections are necessary before re-energizing any lines,” the organizations explained.
This repair process often takes place during daylight hours, which could extend the duration of power outages.
The fourth myth concerns the assumption that wildfires only occur in specific areas. In reality, historical data show that wildfires can and have occurred across all major islands in Hawaii.
Therefore, homeowners and businesses in all regions should be prepared for potential wildfire outbreaks.
To help combat this risk, the Firewise program encourages community cooperation to reduce vulnerability to wildfires. Currently, 30 communities in Hawaii have become part of a nationwide network of over 1,500 Firewise sites, promoting collective wildfire risk management.
Finally, myth five addresses the belief that wildfire prevention is solely someone else’s responsibility. However, fire prevention requires active participation from everyone in the community.
Education and readiness must be a shared commitment, equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to take responsibility for their safety and surroundings.
In summary, as wildfire awareness continues to rise, Hawaiian Electric Co. and the Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization stress the importance of dispelling these myths.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed, prepared, and involved in fire prevention efforts to safeguard their homes and communities.
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