Wildfire Risks

All the Hawaiian Islands are susceptible to wildland fires, especially during prolonged drought and high winds. For the past 15 years, the average annual cost to suppress wildland fires in Hawaii is about $1,100,000 - making it a statewide risk. The greatest danger of fire is where the wildland borders the urban areas. The amount of natural fuel (trees and brush) in close proximity to human populations contributes to increasing the risk to life and property. Other threatened locations include agricultural areas that are adjacent to wildlands where downed tress and flammable brush are prevalent.

Each year, the State of Hawaii is endangered by hundreds of wildland fires. Wildland fires are associated with periods of little or no rainfall, (see drought risks), and are typically the highest with the months associated with severe drought conditions in Hawaii.

Historically, the majority of these fires have been directly caused by humans, either directly or by negligence. The risks of these fires are varied, but the greatest risk to property is that the majority of wildland brush fires are in areas that traditional firefighting equipment cannot be used, (i.e. mountaintops, steep pali ridges and valleys). Expensive equipment like airborne helicopters and other aircraft are usually needed just to keep these fires in check, but can do very little in the prevention of these brush and grass fires.

Fortunately, wildland fires have not caused extensive damage or destruction to buildings nor injury to people. However, as residential development expands or encroaches into relatively untouched wildlands, people living in these communities will be at greater risk of encountering a wildland fire.