Скачать или смотреть What caused the Hawaii wildfires?

Hawaii is well-acquainted with the menace of wildfires, but the recent few days have witnessed some of the most catastrophic blazes in the history of this island chain. The toll has been nothing short of devastating, although the exact cause behind the ignition of these deadly fires remains a subject of ongoing investigation.

However, the convergence of hurricane-force winds and dry climatic conditions has undoubtedly acted as a potent accelerant, intensifying the infernos. These flames have found additional support in the widespread drought or abnormally dry circumstances that have gripped significant portions of Hawaii, including the entirety of Maui.

Remarkably, statistics from the US Drought Monitor reveal that roughly 14% of the state is grappling with varying degrees of severe or moderate drought, while an alarming 80% of Hawaii is classified as experiencing abnormally dry conditions.

Just last month, the National Weather Service observed instances of brush fires in Maui, which even necessitated the temporary closure of a highway. During this period, meteorologists issued warnings about the heightened fire risk anticipated during this year's dry season.

Scientists have also pointed to another concerning factor - certain areas of the Hawaiian islands are blanketed with non-native grasses. These invasive plants possess a higher susceptibility to ignition compared to native flora. This combustible combination of non-native grasses and parched conditions creates a volatile environment where the smallest spark can rapidly ignite a ferocious blaze.

Even before the outbreak of these fires, the island of Maui was under a red flag alert, signaling a potent amalgamation of warm temperatures, exceedingly low humidity levels, and heightened wind strength. This volatile trifecta drastically elevated the risk of fire danger.

The situation was further exacerbated by the arrival of Hurricane Dora, whose fierce winds swept along Hawaii's coast, further fanning the flames and amplifying the havoc.

Hawaii's Governor, Josh Green, addressed the unprecedented crisis in a news conference, dubbing these wildfires as the "largest natural disaster" in the state's history. He lamented that Hawaii is grappling with an entirely new magnitude of challenges due to the unrelenting impacts of climate change, and stressed that this scenario is being mirrored in diverse corners of the globe.

This event evokes memories of a similar tragedy in 2018, when Hurricane Lane's winds stoked a massive conflagration around Lahaina - the very same town now grappling with this week's devastating fires. Half a decade ago, this fire ravaged over 2,000 acres of land, consuming 31 vehicles and 21 structures, many of which were homes, as per local media reports.

Once a rarity, wildfires in Hawaii were historically triggered primarily by volcanic eruptions or lightning strikes. However, the tide has turned in recent decades, largely due to increased human activity, rendering these fires a more frequent and potent threat.

What caused the Hawaii wildfires?
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