HIEMA ALERTS PUBLIC TO RED FLAG WARNING: EXTREME FIRE DANGER CONDITIONS EXIST
News Release 2025-011 from HIEMA, July 31, 2025
HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) is alerting the public that the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Red Flag Warning for portions of the state. The Red Flag Warning is in effect until 6:00 p.m. Friday, August 1. This warning signals that critical fire weather conditions — strong winds, low humidity and dry fuels — are creating an extreme wildfire risk.
“We cannot afford to be careless when conditions are this dangerous,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D.. “Nearly all of Hawaiʻi’s wildfires are started by human activity, which means nearly all of them are preventable. Every person in our state — residents and visitors alike – has a role to play in reducing the risk. Please take this warning seriously, avoid activities that can spark fires and do your part to keep our communities and ‘ohana safe.”
“Red Flag Warnings are a serious call to action,” said James Barros, HIEMA Administrator. “A single spark can have devastating consequences. It is everyone’s kuleana — our shared responsibility — to prevent ignition and protect our communities.”
Human-caused ignitions remain the primary threat
Nearly 99 % of wildfires in Hawaiʻi are caused by human activity, including careless disposal of cigarette butts, unattended campfires, “hot work” such as welding that uses machinery causing sparks, burning of yard waste, and sparks along roadways and powerline corridors (dlnr.hawaii.gov). Individual actions make the difference.
Fuel loads and climate conditions drive fire severity
Non-native, fire-prone grasses and shrubs cover more than 25 % of Hawaiʻi’s landscape, creating “fine fuels” that can spread fire rapidly and unpredictably (hwmo.org). Combined with warming, drier conditions, Hawaiʻi’s fire season is effectively year-round, with about 0.5 % of state land burning each year — among the highest proportions in the nation.
Resource challenges and community preparedness
The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) manages fire response across nearly 60% of Hawaiʻi’s lands, but constrained personnel and equipment make wildfire mitigation and suppression challenging. This year’s state budget included additional staffing and funding for fire mitigation, as well as approval to reduce fuels on state lands not maintained by DOFAW.
Residents and visitors can also help protect their homes and communities by:
- Clearing defensible space: Remove dry vegetation and combustible materials from around structures.
- Avoiding activities that can start fires: Do not burn debris, discard cigarettes, or use open flames outdoors.
- Maintaining property: Clear gutters, trim fire-prone vegetation and secure loose items.
- Being evacuation-ready: Know at least two ways out of your neighborhood and have an emergency kit prepared.
Infrastructure and evacuation challenges
HIEMA continues to work with partnering agencies and counties, utilizing modernized alert systems and enhanced public safety during fast-moving fire events.
“Wildfire preparedness is everyone’s kuleana — from individual homeowners and landowners to public land managers, large agricultural operations and even visitors,” said State Fire Marshal Dori Booth. “We must all work together to build a safer, more resilient Hawaiʻi.”
For real-time updates on weather conditions and warnings, visit the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov/hfo and follow HIEMA on X (formerly Twitter) at @Hawaii_EMA. For more information on wildfire conditions and preparedness, visit https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/wildfire/.
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Public Safety Power Shutoff watch: Hawaiian Electric monitoring wildfire risk conditions
News Release from HECO, 7/31/2025
HONOLULU, July 31, 2025 – The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for leeward portions of all Hawaiian islands and interior sections of Hawaii Island. Hawaiian Electric is monitoring high winds and dry conditions, which may lead to an increased risk of wildfires. At this time, Public Safety Power Shutoff is in a "watch" condition, meaning that if weather conditions intensify in the next 24 to 48 hours Hawaiian Electric may proactively shut off power in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk. During this watch period, customers in these areas are urged to initiate their own emergency plans and prepare for the possibility of extended power outages.
"A watch doesn't mean we will shut off power, only that we are monitoring it closely in areas at the highest risk for wildfires," said Jim Alberts, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president and chief operations officer. "While we hope shutting off power won't be necessary, we have to take this threat seriously and we urge our customers to be prepared and stay informed."
Outages that are not related to the company’s PSPS program could still occur due to high winds and other conditions.
For more information and maps, call Hawaiian Electric’s PSPS hotline at 1-844-483-8666 toll-free or go to hawaiianelectric.com/PSPS.
What we’re doing
At Hawaiian Electric, our PSPS emergency response plan includes:
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Closely monitoring weather
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Deploying spotters to monitor conditions and look out for any fire risks
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Coordinating with state and county emergency response officials
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Urging customers to prepare for possible power outages with safety as their main focus
How you can prepare
Safety is always Hawaiian Electric’s top priority. We urge customers to make it their top priority, too:
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Check emergency equipment such as flashlights and lanterns (make sure they are operational and buy extra batteries), emergency generators, battery-operated radios and light sticks.
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Have a battery-powered radio on hand to listen for updates on weather conditions and possible PSPS outage implementation.
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If someone in your home is dependent on electrically powered, life-sustaining medical equipment, check backup facilities. Plan where to go if an evacuation is ordered. If you need to go to the hospital or other emergency shelter, remember to take your medical equipment and medications with you to the facility.
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If you plan to use a portable generator, make sure it is placed in a well-ventilated area outside the home, and be sure to carefully follow all instructions in the manufacturer’s manual.
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Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings. If power goes out, this will keep food fresher longer.
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Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electrical equipment, especially sensitive electronics. If an outage occurs, this will prevent damage to the equipment from surges when power is restored.
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Don’t venture out in the dark, because you might not see a downed power line that could be energized and dangerous; avoid standing water and debris.
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If you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and dangerous. Stay at least 30 feet or more away from all power lines. Warn others to stay away. For emergency assistance call 911. For Hawaiian Electric, call our Trouble Line:
How to stay informed
Hawaiian Electric will provide updates frequently through the news media and the following mobile-friendly resources: