HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-08-30 Red Flag Warning Emergency Proclamation and Rule No. 1Mitchell D. Roth
Uervor
Lee E. Lord
Managing Director
Robert H. Command
Depuh- Managing Director
tIT
V-1,0u l'CfV of �i iCt t
(Office of flee nUor
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 e (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808) 323-4444 9 Fax (808) 323-4440
RED FLAG WARNING EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION AND
EMERGENCY RULE NO. 1
WHEREAS, Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, as amended, provides for the
establishment of County organizations for disaster relief with a director in charge of each
political subdivision; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes and Chapter 7, Articles 1 and 2 of
the Hawaii County Code, establishes a Civil Defense Agency within the County of Hawaii and
prescribes its powers, duties, and responsibilities, and Section 13-23 of the Hawaii County
Charter empowers the Mayor of the County to declare emergencies; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 127A-25 authorizes the Mayor to adopt rules to carry out the
provisions of Hawaii Revised Statute, Chapter 127A and that carry the full force and effect of
law; and
WHEREAS, on August 30, 2023, at 3:38 pm the National Weather Service issued a Red
Flag Warning for all Leeward portions of Hawai'i Island which states "Dry fuels combined with
strong and gusty trade winds and low humidity will produce critical fire weather conditions" and
describes precautionary/preparedness actions as follows: `'Outdoor burning is not recommended.
Heat from vehicle exhaust systems can ignite dry grass. Park cars on areas that are paved or
where vegetation is trimmed and cleared. High winds contribute to wildfire hazard. Delay
activities that could throw off sparks until the wind dies down"; and
WHEREAS, Hawai'i County's preparedness for a quickly spreading fire, or fires,
requires that everyone take precautions and exercise caution to avoid inadvertent fires; and
WHEREAS, current weather conditions and those expected over the next several days
pose an imminent threat which may likely result in substantial injury or harm to the population
or substantial damage to or loss of property or substantial damage to or loss of the environment;
and
WHEREAS, due to the possibility of imminent disaster due to property damage and/or
bodily injury to residents of Hawaii Island, and the need for government agencies and
representatives from the private sector to mobilize and provide immediate services to our island
residents, a Civil Defense state of emergency is authorized pursuant to Chapter 127A, I lawai" i
Revised Statutes, as amended, and Chapter 7, Hawai'i County Code; and
County of Ha%vai' i is an Equal opportunity Provider and Emplo} er
Red Flag Warning Emergency Proclamation
and Emergency Rule No. 1
August 30, 2023
Page 2 of 2
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MITCHELL D. ROTH, Mayor of the County of Hawaii, do
hereby proclaim and declare that a state of emergency exists due to the threat of imminent
disaster on Hawaii Island, effective August 30, 2023, Hawaii standard time and I hereby
ORDER;
This Emergency Proclamation shall be effective August 30, 2023 and shall terminate in
sixty (60) days unless terminated earlier or extended by a separate proclamation, whichever shall
occur first.
NOW, THEREFORE, I further adopt and promulgate the following rules which shall
have the full for and effect of law. Violations shall be punishable as a petty misdemeanor.
I . For the period between 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 through noon
on, Friday, September 1, 2023, all outdoor burning is banned in the Districts of North Kohala,
South Kohala, North Kona, South Kona and Kau.
2. For the period between 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 through noon
on, Friday, September 1, 2023, all outdoor open flames are banned in the Districts of North
Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, South Kona and Kau.
3. The Director of Parks and Recreation is authorized to extend Rules 1 and 2 in
County parks and facilities for a period up to the duration of this proclamation.
This ORDER and RULES are effective at 4:30 p.m., this 301h day of August, 2023.
Mitchell D. Roth
Mayor
County of Hawaii
APPROVED AS TO FORM
01 E G
Elizabeth Strance
2023,08.30 1 &07:33-10'00'
Elizabeth A. Strance
Corporation Counsel