Voices calling for forest fire prevention on Oahu are growing louder.
The areas to be most cautious are the west coast and valleys of Oahu.
Due to the abundance of wild grass and the dry environment, there is always a risk of forest fires.
However, the East cannot let its guard down either.
Mike Walker, director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife, warns that Kaiwi Provincial Park at Makapu’u Point, Coco Head and Diamond Head are also at risk of wildfire.
East Oahu has experienced wildfires in recent years in Kaiwi, Kaquilonui and Haha’ione, according to a wildfire map from the nonprofit Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO).
Additionally, fire records can be found in Central Oahu and the North Shore, including Wahiawa, Waipio, and Kunia.
According to the Community Wildfire Defense Plan (CWPP) released by the Hawaii Wildfire Management Office (HWMO) for 2021, fires were reported in Wahiawa, Waialua, Dillingham Airfield, and Kaena Point.
In particular, the North Shore has a high risk of forest fires due to frequent winds and a seasonally dry climate, and the steep and inaccessible terrain makes it difficult to respond to forest fires.
Elizabeth Reilly, president of the non-profit organization ‘Livable Hawaii Kai Hui’, said that in 2017 and 2018, more than a dozen forest fires occurred in the agricultural land behind Kamilonui Valley and the residential area of Mariner’s Cove. He said he realized the need for forest fire prevention with local communities working together.
She has since worked with volunteers to carry out preventive work to reduce the risk of wildfires in wildfire-prone areas, including Mariner’s Cove, including clearing weeds and vegetation, and installing firewalls, Reilly said.
Ms Reilly said she plans to educate residents about the high risk of wildfires in the Kaiwi area.
The Hawaii state government recognizes the efforts of communities that practice forest fire prevention by awarding them the status of ‘Firewise.’
According to the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO), there are currently a total of 15 communities in the state that have achieved Firewise status, and the ‘Camilonui Valley-Mariner’s Cove’ area is the only one on Oahu.
Forestry and Wildlife Department Manager Walker pointed out that 99% of fires in Hawaii are caused by humans.
Causes of fire include accidental machine sparks, hot exhaust gases, improper use of lighters, campfires, illegal fireworks, and arson.
Walker said the 2017 Mokuleia fire was sparked by a truck idling on dry grass.
According to data released by the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) on September 21, more than 81% of the Hawaiian Islands suffered from moderate to severe drought this summer, and this is expected to continue until December.
Dozens of forest fires have already occurred in Caena Point and Eva Beach this summer, and large and small forest fires continue to occur even in September.
Small forest fires are not reported in the media unless there is significant property damage.
However, Walker cautioned that the threat of wildfires remains year-round.
It is becoming a problem that fields where all native plants have been burned are being replaced by exotic plants, such as guinea grass, which are highly adaptable to fire and highly fire-inducing.
Director Walker pointed out that a grass-fire cycle is occurring, like a savannah, and warned that through this phenomenon, invasive species could encroach on Hawaiian forests.