Red Flag Warning Issued for Maui County
The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather/Red Flag Warning for all islands.
The Red Flag Warning applies to all leeward areas of the island through 6 p.m. Thursday.
Authorities report the combination of dry fuels, low relative humidity, and strong trade winds will bring critical fire weather conditions for leeward sections of the state.
Residents may expect winds East 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph with relative humidity as low as 45%.
According to the alert, the conditions may contribute to extreme fire behavior, and any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. A Red Flag Warning does not predict new fire starts.
Outdoor burning is not recommended at this time, and heat from vehicle exhaust systems can ignite dry grass. Residents are advised to 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.
The Maui County Emergency Management Agency will continue to monitor the situation. Additional information may be found through your local TV and radio stations, or NOAA Weather Radio. National Weather Service information can be obtained at weather.gov/hfo, or by calling 1-866-944-5025.
Visit the MEMA website at mauicounty.gov/emergency for preparedness tips and hazard information.