HONOLULU — A rapidly spreading brush fire in Hawaii has resulted in the evacuation of approximately 50 residents in the Kahikinui area of Maui, two years after a catastrophic fire devastated the region and claimed over 100 lives.
The fire ignited on Sunday in a sparsely populated locality designated for Native Hawaiians and has since grown to an estimated size of 330 acres, according to Maui’s fire department. Initially reported as covering 500 acres, recent aerial surveys have provided a clearer picture of the blaze’s extent, which is now 85% contained.
Challenging terrain has complicated the assessment of the fire’s size. Although a police drone detected hot spots, none have ignited overnight.
Fortunately, there have been no injuries or reports of structural damage. Weather conditions on Monday were relatively mild, with a high of 67 degrees Fahrenheit and east winds reaching up to 25 mph.
The U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that all of Maui remains in drought conditions, which has contributed to the fire’s rapid growth.
In preparation for potential escalation, authorities conducted door-to-door evacuations, and a portion of a highway has been closed to facilitate firefighting efforts.
Warren Aganos, a resident of the Hawaiian Homelands lot, shared his emotional response upon learning about the fire. He recalled being on the verge of leaving for a Father’s Day hunt when he received an urgent call from a neighbor informing him of the blaze.
“I hung up and raced out, I didn’t let her finish,” Aganos stated, reflecting on the trauma from a previous fire in 2016 that ravaged over 5,000 acres in the same region, resulting in the loss of three family structures. He added, “I was thinking about the last one. It was super emotional.”
Aganos took it upon himself to ensure that first responders were aware of the community’s water storage tanks. The area is characterized by limited infrastructure, lacking both electrical and water systems, with some roads accessible only via four-wheel drive.
In response to the fire, state and local leaders have enacted emergency proclamations, enabling the Hawaii National Guard to provide assistance while allowing counties access to critical resources.
Kahikinui is less developed than Lahaina, which serves as a historic site and tourist destination, previously the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom in the 1800s. Known for its cattle ranching history, Kahikinui is adjacent to a state forest reserve.
To combat the fire, crews deployed engines, tankers, and a helicopter, while three bulldozers worked to create firebreaks in the lower sections of the community, according to Desiree Graham, co-chair of Kahikinui’s firewise committee.
The area contains 104 Hawaiian homeland lots ranging from 10 to 20 acres, with approximately 40 lots housing homes. About 15 of these homes are occupied by full-time residents, while some lots host multiple homes.
A federal program initiated by Congress in 1921 allows individuals with at least 50% Hawaiian blood quantum to apply for a 99-year lease at a nominal fee of $1 per year.
The current Kahikinui fire is reminiscent of the devastating incident that occurred in August 2023, which engulfed parts of Lahaina. That wildfire was the deadliest in the United States in over a century, leading to widespread destruction of properties and an estimated $5.5 billion in damages. Following that tragedy, unemployment and poverty in the region witnessed a spike, as noted by University of Hawaii researchers.
While the Kauikinui fire may appear modest compared to ongoing fires on the continental United States, it holds significant implications for an island of just 735 square miles.
Elsewhere, wildfires are also being combated across the Pacific Northwest, Great Basin, California, and the Rockies, with officials warning of increasing fire dangers attributed to rising temperatures and low humidity levels. The risk of wildfires is anticipated to persist until the onset of the monsoon season, which could bring essential rainfall.
Additionally, a wildfire in southern New Mexico surged to nearly 30 square miles over the weekend in the Gila National Forest, prompting evacuations and causing air quality warnings as smoke traveled northward. Campgrounds and access points to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail have also been closed.
In Oregon, a fire that ignited last Wednesday resulted in the destruction of several dozen homes in Wasco County, although fire managers reported a decrease in the threat to structures on Monday.
This year, U.S. wildfires have doubled in number compared to last year, although the total acreage affected is less extensive. Currently, over 2,700 wildland firefighters and support personnel are assigned to 15 large wildfires across the nation.
image source from：https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/fast-moving-brush-fire-hawaiis-maui-island-evacuates-50-people-no-stru-rcna213423
