Wildfires in Hawaii & Climatic Trends

“Lahaina has been devastated by the fire.” Source: SkyNews

In early August, Hawaii experienced a series of wildfires that resulted in the loss of over 100 lives and the burning of more than 10 square miles of land in Maui. It is predicted that it will cost around $5.5 billion USD to repair the damage to this popular international tourist destination, though the local community mourns the destruction of irreplaceable cultural landmarks. In recent decades, wildfires in Hawaii have been increasing both in frequency and intensity. However, as the deadliest U.S. wildfire event in over a century, this particular emergency caught the world’s attention and sparked renewed conversation about the intensification of wildfires caused by climate change. 

Initially caused by fallen power lines, Hawaii’s outbreak of wildfires in August is thought to have been exacerbated by various factors, including drought conditions, strong winds from Hurricane Dora, and even invasive species that are dangerously prone to dryness. However, it is also believed that climate change may have played a role in the recent wildfires. This is because climate change has altered Hawaii’s local climate by enhancing droughts and increasing temperatures. Such hot and dry environments fuel wildfires by drying out vegetation, making it more combustible.  

As climate change progresses, climatic conditions are expected to be more extreme, though impacts will not be uniform globally. Generally, regions that are already dry are predicted to get drier, while wet regions are expected to become wetter. For areas that have historically dealt with wildfires, incidences are becoming more destructive. Due to climate change, wildfires are increasing in size and severity. A recent study concluded that forest fires are now responsible for higher losses of tree cover than in previous decades, amounting to 3 million more hectares lost annually compared with data from 2001.  

Wildfires occur on every continent besides Antarctica, though the areas with the greatest loss in recent years include Canada, Australia, the U.S., Brazil, and Russia. The shocking magnitude of wildfire destruction in Hawaii this August brought about media attention of a worldwide scope. With over 10 million visitors in 2019 alone, this tourist hub’s international news coverage reminds us of the reality of climate change as a global issue that concerns us all.