After Maui, state lawmakers budget funds for firefighting equipment and a fire marshal

Hawaii lawmakers on Wednesday appropriated funds for more firefighting equipment and a state fire marshal after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century ripped through the historic Maui town of Lahaina and exposed shortcomings in the state's readiness for such flames. The House and Senate passed the measures during their first legislative session since the Aug. 8 wildfire killed 101 people. They now go to Gov. Josh Green for his consideration. Climate change has been boosting drought in Hawaii, drying the archipelago's vegetation and increasing the risks of destructive blazes. Wildfires were once rare in Hawaii but they have grown in frequency in recent years. Last year, just months after the Maui blaze, a wildfire burned a large part of the Oahu Forest National Wildlife Refuge about 20 miles north of Honolulu.
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County Council takes up 2 measures supporting project to mitigate wildfire risk in North Hawai‘i

The U.S. Drought Monitor on Wednesday showed that 33.4% of the Big Island is experiencing moderate or severe drought, with much of North Hawai‘i in severe drought. Another 15.4% of the island is abnormally dry. Drought increases the risk of wildfire, an issue the north part of the island is all too familiar with, especially after the massive Mana Road Fire in the summer of 2021. Several other blazes have sparked in the region since, including in August 2023, the same day a deadly wildfire destroyed Lahaina, Maui. The Hawai‘i County Council on Wednesday during a regular session meeting took up two measures in support of mitigating the risk of wildfires in North Hawai‘i, specifically in and around communities that were affected by the Mana Road Fire.
Big Island Now

Two East Hawai‘i structures destroyed in unrelated fires

No injuries were reported following two unrelated structure fires in East Hawai‘i that occurred within the last 24 hours. The first blaze occurred on Tuesday evening. Hawai‘i Fire Department responded to a report of a brush fire at 8:09 p.m. in Hawaiian Paradise Park’s Orchidland Subdivision on Kiele Street. When crews arrived on scene, they found a single-story wooden structure, approximately 600 square feet, engulfed in flames and fully collapsed. The Fire was extinguished and the overhaul was completed with no occupants found in the structure. The structure is a total loss. A second fire occurred in Hilo early Wednesday morning. Hawai‘i firefighters responded to 41 Manaolana Place at 2:30 a.m. When they arrived on scene, the found a 1,200-square-foot single-story structure fully engulfed. The property owner was on scene and told authorities the house was unoccupied.
Big Island Now