Elevated fire danger impacting Hawaiian islands, officials say

Elevated fire danger is currently in place in portions of Hawaii due to weather and drought conditions.

​Elevated fire danger is currently in place in portions of Hawaii due to weather and drought conditions.   

Elevated fire danger is currently in place in portions of Hawaii due to weather and drought conditions.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning indicating critical fire weather conditions for several of the Hawaiian islands, including interior portions of the Big Island. Hamakua, North Hilo, North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, Ka’u and Puna districts were included in the warning.

Wind gusts of up to 50 mph and relative humidity as low as 40% is contributing to the fire threat, according to the NWS.

Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda issued an emergency proclamation on Thursday banning outdoor burning and open flames in impacted areas. The ban also includes “hot work,” such as grinding, welding, flame cutting or other spark-inducing operations.

A wind advisory has also been issued for Maui and Hawaii counties through Saturday morning.

Several regions in Hawaii have been experiencing drought conditions in recent months, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

At the beginning of August, about 54% of Hawaii was under drought conditions. Now, about 70% of the islands are experiencing drought conditions, data shows.

The Hilo region on the Big Island is undergoing its third-driest autumn season in history, while Maui is amid a top-10 driest fall season on record so far.

Hawaiian Electric, the main energy supplier for much of Hawaii, is monitoring conditions and may shut off power lines in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk, the utility company announced on Thursday.

In 2023, a firestorm sparked by broken power lines decimated west Maui, becoming one of the deadliest wildfires in U.S. history. The fire destroyed the historic town of Lahaina and killed more than 100 people.

West Maui is continuing to rebuild in the aftermath of the fire.

The red flag warning will be in effect until Saturday afternoon. Trade winds will begin to die down on Sunday, forecasts show.

The NWS has advised residents to avoid any activity involving open flames — including grilling and fire camps — as well as parking vehicles on dry grass after using them.

Nearly 85% of wildland fires are caused by humans, according to the National Parks Service.

ABC News’ Kenton Gewecke contributed to this report.