Hawaii Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Hawaii - August 04, 2026

Overview

Hawaii is currently experiencing normal significant fire potential for this time of year, though officials remain highly vigilant. The state recently launched its 2026 Wildfire LOOKOUT! campaign, warning that abundant wet-season vegetation growth has created a heightened wildfire risk across the islands. Non-native, fire-prone grasses and shrubs cover more than 25% of Hawaii's landscape, creating "fine fuels" that can spread fires rapidly and unpredictably when cured.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: Over the last 72 hours, wildland fire activity has been minimal across the state, with satellite monitoring showing zero high-confidence fire alerts for the week of August 2. However, local fire departments have responded to isolated incidents, and agencies remain on alert following a weekend of critical fire weather.

Key Fires:

• Kahekili Highway Fire (Maui): On Thursday morning, July 30, a fire fully engulfed and destroyed a single-story home in the 3200 block of Kahekili Highway near the former Mendes Ranch. Firefighters successfully deployed hose lines to extinguish the blaze and prevent it from spreading to the nearby dry brush. No injuries were reported, but three residents were displaced. The narrow, unpaved driveway made access difficult, requiring off-road capable fire apparatus. The cause remains under investigation.
• Port of Kaunakakai Fire (Molokaʻi): On August 3, an underground fire at the pier forced a temporary closure of the Port of Kaunakakai. The Maui Fire Department responded to investigate and secure the area. Power has since been restored, and the port was deemed safe for normal operations to resume on August 4.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management:
The Hawaii Department of Health Clean Air Branch (DOH-CAB) continues to regulate agricultural burning permits to manage green waste while minimizing smoke impacts on sensitive areas. Additionally, Kauaʻi County recently approved its newest hazard mitigation plan, which names wildfire as the island's top climate and weather threat. The plan outlines 40 actions to prepare for future emergencies. Statewide, the Wildfire LOOKOUT! campaign is actively encouraging homeowners to maintain a lean, clean, and green 5-foot buffer around their homes to mitigate fuel loads.

Air Quality:
Air quality remains generally good across the islands, with no significant smoke impacts from wildfires currently reported.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: A Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Service for leeward areas across the state expired over the weekend. The warning was prompted by a combination of strong trade winds, low relative humidity (dropping to 35-45%), and dry fuels. Currently, weather conditions have shifted favorably, bringing widespread scattered rain, mostly cloudy skies, and high humidity (up to 91%) to areas like Hawaii County and Maui County, which is significantly aiding in keeping fire danger low today.
Forecasted Weather: The forecast for the next 72 hours includes continued chances of rain and rain showers across the islands, with temperatures in the 70s and 80s. This increased moisture and humidity will help mitigate immediate fire risks, though the long-term significant fire potential remains a focus for the dry season through November.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are urged to remain vigilant, as nearly 99% of wildfires in Hawaii are human-caused. The public is advised to clear dead leaves, dried vegetation, and debris from around homes, keeping lawn grasses cut short. Residents should also ensure they have emergency "Go Bags" ready and are signed up for local county alerts.
Resource Allocation: Local and state agencies are prioritizing community preparedness and infrastructure resilience. This includes equipping water pumps with emergency generators and identifying disaster refuges as part of updated hazard mitigation plans across the counties.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA): dod.hawaii.gov/hiema
Maui County Emergency Management Agency: www.mauicounty.gov
Honolulu Department of Emergency Management: www.honolulu.gov/dem
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.