The Hawaii wildfire crisis could be worsened by the impact of a tropical storm.
Tropical Storm Fernanda, well to the southwest of Mexico, is traveling west and currently has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, AccuWeather said. Although it is weakening and likely to fall below tropical cyclone intensity by the end of the week, according to Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty, its remaining circulation may pass over the Hawaiian islands at the end of the weekend or early next week, potentially bringing gusty winds.
These increased winds could make existing wildfires harder to control and contain, but will not cause any further damage directly. The remnants of the storm may also bring much-needed rain.
Wildfires have been devastating the Hawaiian island of Maui since August 8. As of Friday, the death toll had reached 111. Over the last weekend, the storms caused wind speed of 67 mph on Maui, according to the National Weather Service.
Wind can affect wildfires in a multitude of ways before a fire is ignited, and after. Strong winds can blow away air laden with moisture, which can cause vegetation to dry out faster.
Once wildfires are raging, wind can aid combustion and elevate the oxygen supply, making the fire wilder and harder to contain, according to the National Weather Service. Strong winds can also help the flames further to a greater area.
Scientists are concerned that natural disasters are becoming more common in Hawaii.
An Associated Press analysis of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) record said that wildfires are the natural disaster increasing most in the state. Hawaii had one federally declared disaster of any kind every couple of years, from 1953 to 2003, according to FEMA. In recent years, the state has experienced two per year.
While climate change has certainly made wildfires more common in the state—and in the rest of the world—there is evidence to suggest the fires on Maui were caused by downed powerlines. Video footage and electricity grid data have shown that the first fire may have been started after a tree fell on the power lines.
Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about the Maui fires? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.
Correction, 08/17/2023, 2:30 p.m. ET: This article was updated to remove references to Tropical Storm Greg and Tropical Storm Hilary, which have not and will not hit Hawaii and will not have any impact on the wildfires.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Robyn White is a Newsweek Nature Reporter based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on wildlife, science and the ... Read more
