Hawaii's Big Island is hit by its largest ever wildfire: 62-square mile blaze blankets much of paradise isle with smoke as swirling winds make it impossible to predict inferno's path and locals are warned they may have to evacuate at any time
Hawaii's Big Island has been hit by the largest wildfire it has ever seen with 40,000 acres of land already torched by its flames.
The blaze - blamed on climate change-related weather patterns - started Friday, and and consumed 14,000 acres as of Saturday, prompting a mandatory evacuation for all residents of Pu'u Kapu Hawaiian Homestead and Waikii Ranch.
Even though 26,000 more acres burned over the weekend and the fire has consumed 16-square miles of the island, Hawaii County mayor Mitchell Roth lifted all evacuation orders on Sunday evening.
But he has warned the orders could be imposed with no notice, because of swirling winds that make the route of the fire impossible to predict.
Thousands evacuated and at least two homes were destroyed.
Local reporter Tom George captured footage of the 62-square mile blaze - the largest Hawaii's Big Island has ever seen
Forty-thousand acres have already been torched and thousands of Pu'u Kapu Hawaiian Homestead and Waikii Ranch residents evacuated over the weekend
Waimea resident Kanani Malakaua said: 'I just seen the flames coming. I mainly got my important papers, made sure my kids were in the car, got my animals — but this is a very, very scary time for us.'
Joshua Kihe's house was destroyed by the fire despite his attempts to protect it by moving earth with heavy machinery. 'I tried to make a fire break. I definitely need to think of a plan because it's a life-changer,' he said.
He spoke as Roth warned that evacuation orders could be reinstated at any time and people should be ready to go.
As the Big Island gets blanketed with smoke, Hawaii County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd advised anyone with health or breathing problems to find somewhere to stay
Water was dropped on the blaze by a US Army aircraft from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade on Oahu on Monday. The National Guard have been asked to assist
'The winds kind of swirl, so they'll be coming at one direction for a couple of minutes and then all of a sudden, they're blowing in a different direction; that makes it really very difficult to fight a fire when you have swirling winds,' Roth said.
Winds in the northern part of the island have made conditions difficult for firefighters and Hawaii County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd said he expected the fire to continue growing.
The forecast showed strong winds will return today - with gusts up to 40mph - and they will raise danger again.
Hawaii County mayor Mitchell Roth lifted all evacuation orders on Sunday evening. But he has warned the orders could be imposed with no notice, because of swirling winds that make the route of the fire impossible to predict
Mandatory evacuations lifted | Residents may return home if need be | Roads remain closed pic.twitter.com/zpV8RPz4KR
— Mitch Roth (@HIMayorMitch) August 2, 2021
Mandatory evacuations lifted | Residents may return home if need be | Roads remain closed pic.twitter.com/zpV8RPz4KR
As the Big Island gets blanketed with smoke, Todd advised anyone with health or breathing problems to find somewhere to stay.
A shelter for displaced residents is available at the Waimea District Park in Kamuela and have been advised to bring personal food, water and sleeping supplies.
More than 150 personnel have been working to stop the fire's spread and the National Guard was requested to assist.
Hawaii's wet, tropical climate has seen a downward trend in overall rainfall in recent years and drought conditions have reached the most severe level in some parts of the state.
Drought tied to climate change has made wildfires such as this one harder to fight, with the island deprived of the rain and damp weather that act as natural firefighting measures.