Wildland Fire Danger Elevated in Hawaii with Drought in Forecast

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Midland tire danger elevated in tiawau wttn drought in forecast nttp:uwww.staraaveruser.com/. u t 61 tj ► ainawati-news/wi►d►ana-ttr... natural areas at greater risk of fire, experts say. Both the frequency and size of the wildland fires have increased dramatically over the years, stretching wildland firefighting budgets to their limits and sometimes past. Elizabeth Pickett, executive director of the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, said most people don't realize the scale of Hawaii's wildfire problem. Each year about 0.5 percent of Hawaii's total land area burns, which is equal to or greater than the proportion burned of any other U.S. state, she said. Pickett said 98 percent of wildfires are started by humans, most of them accidentally. People have to accept that we live in a fire -prone state and be extra careful to prevent fires, she said. One common way to start a wildfire is from a spark or hot components of a motor vehicle. It's the primary reason why Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park closed Mauna Loa Road. "By reducing the number of vehicles in high-risk areas, the park can mitigate the potential for a catastrophic event," the park said. Pickett said there are a number of simple things folks can do: Park cars on pavement and never on dry grass. Keep yards maintained and free of debris. Be careful with equipment that could spark. Practice family emergency plans, More tips can be found at HawaiiWildfire.org/lookout. "Prevention is the most important thing we can all do," Pickett said. "Firefighting is really just a last defense." 3 of 3 12/18/2018, 9 26 AM