Inputs by Shuchi Giridhar
Maui has been engulfed in wildfires for the past week.
Many residents and tourists have been evacuated from the Island as well as the historic city of Lahaina. The Hawaiian mainland is also experiencing wildfires.
What is going on?
Many parts of Maui are experiencing wildfires. The fires started from the city of Lahaina.
As of early Wednesday, the fires in Lahaina had burnt upto 2,170 acres (880 hectares) of land and were contained upto 85%. Another fire in Kula had burnt upto 67 acres and was 75% contained. An estimated amount of about $5.5 billion will be needed to rebuild the town.
What caused this?
When fuel, dryness, and an ignition source combine, they cause a wildfire. They are the main culprits of wildfires. Ever since tourism became the new source of income in Hawaii, a non-native flammable grass started growing in fields. Such large amounts of small flammable materials is a fire hazard.
Severe droughts in Hawaii made the air dry. The rising temperatures also caused the vegetation to dry up. A study in rainfall patterns show us that from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023, Hawaii received bountiful rain. But after June, Hawaii experienced a drier phase. In some parts of Maui, this phase began as early as May.
The dry vegetation and arid air were perfect for a fire. The only thing left undiscovered is the ignition source. Some think that fallen power lines caused it. But it is yet to be determined.
What happened to Hawaii’s alarm system?
At the time of the fire, the city was facing cellular and power outages. The main sirens to alert for natural disasters never sounded. Residents said that they had little to no warning about the fire until it reached them. They feel that more could have been done to alert them. The Hawaiian governor Josh Green has said that he will send people to investigate the siren.
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