History of Fire

Over the past decade, Hawai‘i has experienced an average of >1,000 ignitions burning >20,000 acres (8,000 ha) each year across the main inhabited islands.  Fire response agencies are able to contain 90% of wildfire ignitions to less than one acre in size, but large fires (>1000 acres) have occurred on all islands, and happen multiple times each year across the state.

Wildfire Incidents in Hawai‘i (2014)
Wildfire Incidents in Hawai‘i (2014)
Hawai‘i Fire History and Agricultural Decline (Credit: Trauernicht & HWMO)
Hawai‘i Fire History and Agricultural Decline (Credit: Trauernicht & HWMO)

Wildfire Threats and Impacts

Nearly all fires in Hawai‘i are human-caused and they often pose threats to communities and natural and cultural resources.  Having evolved in the absence of frequent fires, Hawai‘i's native ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to fire disturbance, which is often associated with the spread and establishment of nonnative grass and shrub species.

Wildfire Drivers

The primary drivers of fire occurrence are: frequent, mostly human-caused ignitions; expansion of nonnative, fire-prone grasslands and shrublands over c. 25% of state land area; and strong rain shadow effects and episodic drought create which create year-round fire weather.

Statewide Wildfire Ignitions (2016)
Nanakuli, O`ahu, March 2016. Burned Haole Koa & Guinea Grass (Credit: Clay Trauernicht)

Recent Fires in Hawai‘i

Recent Resources For Hawai‘i

Talk Story Tuesdays: Grazing to Reduce Blazing

November 14, 2022

In this Pacific Fire Exchange talk story Q&A session, we round up the latest research, past and present for managers and landowners wanting to understand more about how our four-legged friends (goats, sheep, cows, etc.) if managed properly can help reduce blazing and wildland fire. This month’s science share out and conversation will be with University of Hawai‘i’s Dr. Mark Thorne, Specialist, State Range and Livestock Extension and Dr. Clay Trauernicht, Fire and Ecosystems Specialist.

Wildfires on the “Hawaiian Savanna” (HI Business News, 2022)

November 1, 2022

Invasive grasses have spread across a quarter of Hawai‘i’s land, and they’re fueling an alarming rise in wildfires. Coalitions are fighting back with new urgency and old tools. By Cynthia Wessendorf

Presentation: Overview of the Pacific Islands Institute of Forestry (IPIF)

October 18, 2022

Dr. Susan Cordell presents the history, the work, the geographic scope and current contributions of the USDA’s Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry (IPIF) based in Hilo, Hawai‘i (10 MINS) Tuesday,…