Dry, hot weatherOne study cited deforestation, the abandonment of agricultural lands and the introduction of non-native, fire-prone grasses as factors that have made Hawaii more susceptible to fire.
What started the fire on Maui?
Hard winds had toppled utility poles, and flying sparks from downed power lines likely started the blaze.
How fast is Maui sinking?
Maui sees about 2 millimeters, or 0.08 inches annually, while Hawaii island sees 3 millimeters, or 0.12 inches a year. This is likely because Hawaii island is very large and still growing, while sinking under its own weight, Romine said.
How long did the Maui wildfires last?
| 2023 Hawaii wildfires | |
|---|---|
| Total area | 17,000+ acres (6,880+ ha) |
| Cost | $5.5 billion |
| Date(s) | August 8, 2023 – August 11, 2023 |
| Cause | Propagation by dry conditions and high winds Maui: unknown origins downed power line Hawaiʻi Island: unknown origins unattended cook fire incendiary device |
When did the Maui fires start and end?
On August 4, 2023, at 11:01 a.m. HST (UTC 21:01), the first of many small fires ignited on Maui. A 30-acre brush fire was reported adjacent to the Kahului Airport in a field. By 9:29 p.m. HST (UTC 07:29), the fire was reported 90% contained, but many flights out of the airport were delayed to August 11.
How fast did Maui fire spread?
How much of Maui is burned?
15 officials estimated 3,200 had burned. Together, those estimates represent more than 10 square miles, of Maui's total area of 735 square miles.
How bad are the Maui fires?
The devastating Maui wildfires have killed at least 99 people so far, and have burned more than 2,500 acres across historic towns like Lahaina, destroying homes and businesses in the region. It is now the deadliest wildfire incident in the U.S. in over a century, and the worst natural disaster in Hawaii's history.
Is Lahaina completely destroyed?
Eventually, almost all of Lahaina was reduced to ash. Satellite imagery captured over Maui on the afternoon of Aug. 9 shows the extent of the loss.
How did the Maui wildfires start 2023?
But Maui County, in its suit, blames Hawaiian Electric's power lines, and videos a Lahaina resident posted online the morning the fire erupted appear to show a downed electrical line on the edge of town sparking in the midst of burning grass.
How did Maui fires start 2023?
But Maui County, in its suit, blames Hawaiian Electric's power lines, and videos a Lahaina resident posted online the morning the fire erupted appear to show a downed electrical line on the edge of town sparking in the midst of burning grass.
Could Maui erupt again?
Maui's massive volcano, Haleakala, will one day erupt again. Although Haleakala is considered dormant, volcanologists say that a future eruption at Haleakala is inevitable- it's not a matter of if, but when.