"Red Flag Warning extended until Saturday."
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Content and Source: "Hawaii Tribune-Herald" update.
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.blogspot.com).
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UPDATE: Red flag warning extended until Saturday
Thursday, July 31, 2025 08:35 am
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Forecasters extended the warning following midday observations.
East winds of 15 to 30 mph, with gusts of up to 50 mph on Hawaii Island, are expected to continue through Saturday afternoon.
Relative humidity is expected to drop to 35% to 45% in the afternoon hours.
“A dry and locally windy tradewind flow will produce critical fire weather conditions through Saturday afternoon,” said NWS. “Winds will be strongest over and downwind of terrain. Winds will begin a slow decline on Sunday, though near critical fire weather conditions are expected as dry weather persists over leeward areas.”
State and county officials urge the public to avoid activities that could spark a fire.
“We have to continue to be vigilant and careful when conditions are this dangerous,” said Gov. Josh Green in a news release. “Nearly all of Hawaii’s wildfires are started by human activity, which means nearly all of them are preventable. Residents and visitors alike have a role to play in reducing the risk.
“Please take this warning seriously, avoid activities that can spark fires and do your part to keep our communities and ‘ohana safe.”
PREVIOUSLY on Thursday
In response to today’s red flag warning, Hawaiian Electric’s Public Safety Power Shutoff program is in a “watch” condition, meaning that if weather conditions intensify in the next 24 to 48 hours, the utility might proactively shut off power in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk.
During this watch period, customers in these areas are urged to initiate their own emergency plans and prepare for the possibility of extended power outages, according to Hawaiian Electric.
“A watch doesn’t mean we will shut off power, only that we are monitoring it closely in areas at the highest risk for wildfires,” Jim Alberts, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president and COO, said in a news release.
“While we hope shutting off power won’t be necessary, we have to take this threat seriously and we urge our customers to be prepared and stay informed,” he said.
Outages that are not related to the company’s PSPS program could still occur due to high winds and other conditions.
For more information and maps, call Hawaiian Electric’s PSPS hotline at 1-844-483-8666 toll-free or go to hawaiianelectric.com/PSPS.
Hawaiian Electric also will provide updates on its social media accounts.
PREVIOUSLY on Thursday
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for all Hawaiian Islands through 6 p.m. Friday, citing gusty tradewinds, low humidity and dry fuels that could lead to “extreme fire behavior.”
Forecasters said a dry and locally windy tradewind flow will create critical fire weather conditions through at least Friday and possibly into Saturday. The warning covers leeward areas statewide and interior sections of Hawaii island.
Winds are forecast to blow from the east at 15 to 30 mph, with gusts reaching up to 40 mph on Oahu and Kauai and up to 50 mph on Maui and Hawaii Island.
Relative humidity levels are expected to drop to between 35% and 45% each afternoon.
The NWS warned that any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly under these conditions.
The agency urged residents to avoid outdoor burning and take precautions to prevent accidental ignitions, such as parking vehicles on paved or cleared surfaces and delaying activities that could throw sparks.
Officials emphasized that a red flag warning does not predict new fires, but alerts the public to conditions that can significantly increase the risk of fast-moving wildfires.
Forecasters extended the warning following midday observations.
East winds of 15 to 30 mph, with gusts of up to 50 mph on Hawaii Island, are expected to continue through Saturday afternoon.
Relative humidity is expected to drop to 35% to 45% in the afternoon hours.
“A dry and locally windy tradewind flow will produce critical fire weather conditions through Saturday afternoon,” said NWS. “Winds will be strongest over and downwind of terrain. Winds will begin a slow decline on Sunday, though near critical fire weather conditions are expected as dry weather persists over leeward areas.”
State and county officials urge the public to avoid activities that could spark a fire.
“We have to continue to be vigilant and careful when conditions are this dangerous,” said Gov. Josh Green in a news release. “Nearly all of Hawaii’s wildfires are started by human activity, which means nearly all of them are preventable. Residents and visitors alike have a role to play in reducing the risk.
“Please take this warning seriously, avoid activities that can spark fires and do your part to keep our communities and ‘ohana safe.”
PREVIOUSLY on Thursday
In response to today’s red flag warning, Hawaiian Electric’s Public Safety Power Shutoff program is in a “watch” condition, meaning that if weather conditions intensify in the next 24 to 48 hours, the utility might proactively shut off power in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk.
During this watch period, customers in these areas are urged to initiate their own emergency plans and prepare for the possibility of extended power outages, according to Hawaiian Electric.
“A watch doesn’t mean we will shut off power, only that we are monitoring it closely in areas at the highest risk for wildfires,” Jim Alberts, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president and COO, said in a news release.
“While we hope shutting off power won’t be necessary, we have to take this threat seriously and we urge our customers to be prepared and stay informed,” he said.
Outages that are not related to the company’s PSPS program could still occur due to high winds and other conditions.
For more information and maps, call Hawaiian Electric’s PSPS hotline at 1-844-483-8666 toll-free or go to hawaiianelectric.com/PSPS.
Hawaiian Electric also will provide updates on its social media accounts.
PREVIOUSLY on Thursday
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for all Hawaiian Islands through 6 p.m. Friday, citing gusty tradewinds, low humidity and dry fuels that could lead to “extreme fire behavior.”
Forecasters said a dry and locally windy tradewind flow will create critical fire weather conditions through at least Friday and possibly into Saturday. The warning covers leeward areas statewide and interior sections of Hawaii island.
Winds are forecast to blow from the east at 15 to 30 mph, with gusts reaching up to 40 mph on Oahu and Kauai and up to 50 mph on Maui and Hawaii Island.
Relative humidity levels are expected to drop to between 35% and 45% each afternoon.
The NWS warned that any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly under these conditions.
The agency urged residents to avoid outdoor burning and take precautions to prevent accidental ignitions, such as parking vehicles on paved or cleared surfaces and delaying activities that could throw sparks.
Officials emphasized that a red flag warning does not predict new fires, but alerts the public to conditions that can significantly increase the risk of fast-moving wildfires.
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