Wildfires of Hawaii

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• Hawaii
• What are Forest Fires/Wildfires?
• Wildfires of Hawaii
• The affected areas
• Reasons

 

Why in news?

• In one of the worst natural disasters to hit the US, multiple wildfires are raging through Hawaii, especially the island of Maui. 
• So far, 80 people have died and thousands have been displaced. More than 48 hours after it started, the fires are yet to be brought under complete control by crews.

 

Hawaii

• Hawaii is a U.S. state located in the Pacific Ocean and is composed of a group of islands. The capital city of Hawaii is Honolulu, located on the island of Oahu.
• Islands
  • Hawaii is made up of eight main islands: Hawaii (also known as the Big Island), Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe. 
  • These islands are part of an archipelago formed by volcanic activity.
• Geography
  • The Hawaiian Islands are known for their diverse landscapes, including active volcanoes, lush rainforests, stunning beaches, and dramatic cliffs. 
  • The islands were formed by a hotspot in the Earth's mantle, which has created a chain of volcanoes.
• Volcanoes 
  • Hawaii is home to some of the world's most active volcanoes, including Kilauea and Mauna Loa.
• Climate
  • Hawaii has a tropical climate, with warm temperatures throughout the year. 
  • The weather can vary from region to region and between the different islands. 
  • The trade winds play a role in moderating the temperature and bringing rainfall.

 

What are Forest Fires/Wildfires?

• Meaning: It is an unplanned, uncontrolled and unpredictable fire in an area of combustible vegetation.
• Causes: These include natural (lightning, high atmospheric temperatures and low humidity (dryness) and man-made (agricultural practices like Jhum, a source of fire (cigarette, bidi, etc)].
• Types of forest fire:

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Wildfires of Hawaii

• The affected areas
  • Maui is one of the eight main islands that make up the archipelago of Hawaii. 
  • Lahaina, a coastal town of art galleries, unique spots and history in Maui, has, reportedly, been reduced to ashes.
  • Among the other areas affected are the coastal cities of Kihei and Kula, a picturesque, rustic area on the mountain slopes at the centre of the island. 
  • Parts of another island, called Hawai’i or the Big Island, have also been burnt by the fire.
• Reasons
  • Man-made and natural causes
    • The exact cause of the fire is still not certain. 
    • Data from 2000-2017 from US Forest Service, among others, shows that 85 percent of wildfires in the US are caused by humans.
      • It involves campfires, garbage burning, malfunctioning equipment and burning cigarettes, among others. 
    • Natural causes of fire include volcanic activity and lightning strikes. 
      • Maui is home to one of the six active volcanoes of Hawaii.
    • Also, Maui was experiencing severe drought, so the dry land, with dry non-native grasses and vegetation, were ready fuel for fires. 
      • These fed the fires and helped them spread.
  • The winds of Hurricane Dora
    • The fire in Hawaii started in the wild and was carried by the wind that was blowing at almost 100 kmph. 
    • The winds have their origins in Hurricane Dora, an unusually strong storm in the Pacific Ocean. 
    • Hundreds of miles away from Hawaii, Hurricane Dora did not hit Hawaii. 
    • Instead, the islands were caught between high and low pressure zones due to the hurricane, which resulted in the winds fanning the flames and making these difficult to control.
  • Climate change
    • Climate change doesn’t usually start the fires; but it intensifies them, increasing the area they burn, making them much more dangerous.
    • One of the big reasons of climate change is the burning of fossil fuel which release large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, causing global warming. 
• According to the United Nations, there will be an increase of extreme fires globally by up to 14 per cent by 2030, 30 per cent by the end of 2050 and 50 per cent by the end of the century.

 

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Q1) What is a volcano?

A volcano is a geological feature on the Earth's surface that is created when molten rock, ash, and gases erupt from beneath the crust and are expelled into the atmosphere. This eruption can lead to the formation of various structures, such as a conical mountain or a crater. Volcanoes are primarily associated with tectonic plate boundaries and areas of high geothermal activity.

 

Q2) What is a Hurricane?

A hurricane, also known as a tropical cyclone or typhoon in different parts of the world, is a large and powerful storm system characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and low atmospheric pressure. Hurricanes are a type of tropical cyclone that forms over warm ocean waters near the equator. These storms can cause extensive damage to coastal areas and even inland regions.

 

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Source: Global warming and strong winds: What led to the wildfires of Hawaii | NYTimes | BBC