The wildfire that ravaged the town of Lahaina on the island of Maui this week has claimed at least 93 lives, making it the deadliest fire in US history. The blaze, which was fanned by strong winds from Hurricane Dora, destroyed more than 2,200 structures and displaced thousands of residents and tourists. Here are some of the factors that contributed to this unprecedented disaster.
Drought and invasive grasses
Hawaii has been experiencing severe drought conditions and a prolonged dry season, which have created tinderbox conditions for wildfires. According to the US Drought Monitor, Maui was in an extreme drought as of August 10, with less than 25% of normal rainfall for the past six months. The lack of moisture has dried out the vegetation, especially the invasive grasses that have taken over abandoned farmland and open spaces. These grasses, such as fountain grass and buffelgrass, are highly flammable and can ignite easily from a spark or a cigarette butt. They also spread quickly and can carry fire across large distances.
Hurricane Dora
While Hawaii is not directly hit by Hurricane Dora, which is located hundreds of miles away in the eastern Pacific Ocean, the storm has brought strong winds and low humidity to the islands. These conditions have increased the fire danger and made it harder for firefighters to contain the flames. The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for Maui on August 9, indicating that critical fire weather conditions were occurring or imminent. The warning stated that wind gusts of up to 60 mph and relative humidity as low as 10% were expected, creating extreme fire behavior and rapid fire spread.
Historic Lahaina
The town of Lahaina, which is located on the west coast of Maui, is a popular tourist destination and a historic site. It was once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii and a whaling port in the 19th century. It is also home to many cultural and historical landmarks, such as the Banyan Tree Park, the Baldwin Home Museum, and the Wo Hing Temple. The town’s architecture reflects its diverse heritage, with wooden buildings dating back to the 1700s and 1800s. Unfortunately, these structures also made the town vulnerable to fire, as they were not designed to withstand high temperatures and flames. The fire swept through Lahaina’s historic Front Street, destroying many of its buildings and businesses.
Limited resources and preparedness
Hawaii has limited resources and experience in dealing with large-scale wildfires, especially in urban areas. The state has only about 300 firefighters, who are mostly trained to fight forest fires in remote locations. The Maui Fire Department has only 14 fire stations and 42 fire trucks, which are not enough to cover the entire island. The department also lacks specialized equipment, such as aerial tankers and bulldozers, that are needed to fight fast-moving fires. Moreover, the state has not invested enough in fire prevention and preparedness measures, such as creating defensible spaces around homes, clearing brush and debris, and conducting prescribed burns. Many residents and visitors were also caught off guard by the fire, as they did not receive adequate warnings or evacuation orders.
Climate change
The Maui wildfire is also a sign of how climate change is affecting Hawaii and other regions around the world. According to a recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global warming is increasing the frequency and intensity of heat waves, droughts, and wildfires. The report warns that these impacts will worsen unless drastic actions are taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the changing climate. Hawaii is particularly vulnerable to climate change, as it depends on its natural resources and ecosystems for its economy, culture, and well-being.
