Hawaii is entering its dry season following the driest rainy season in more than 30 years, bringing a high risk for wildfires, the National Weather Service warned yesterday.

During this year's rainy season, January through April, the Honolulu Fire Department responded to 175 brush fires, up from 130 over the same period last year.

That does not bode well for this wildfire season, May to September, fire officials say.

In the grip of a strong El Nino, Hawaii has also been under the worst drought conditions in the country, the weather service said. No relief is expected until October.

Federal, state and city officials held a news conference yesterday at the HFD training center to urge residents to take precautions to prevent brush fires.

Most wildfires are caused by human accident, Honolulu Fire Chief Kenneth Silva said.

Arson, by contrast, “;kind of comes in waves,”; he said. “;When it starts, you get copycats.”;

Silva reminded residents to keep 30 feet of clear space around houses. And smokers should be careful when disposing of cigarette butts, he said.

Cooking outdoors, burning open fires, welding and even running motorcycles off-road without a spark arrester can spark a fire, officials noted. Even a hot muffler can radiate heat and start a fire if it comes into contact with dry fuel.

Houses and other property are not the only things at stake. Wildfires have destroyed much of Hawaii's native forests, home to endemic plants, insects and animals, officials say.

In the 2007 Waialua fire, 98 percent of the wild native yellow hibiscus plants growing in that section of the Waianae Mountains were lost, said Michelle Mansker, manager of the Army Natural Resource Program.

The wildfire spread rapidly, with much of the fuel being dry non-native grasses used by farmers or in fallow fields.

    Dry weather worries HFD

 

 

Oahu firefighters have been busy this spring with wildfires. And now they are worried that even drier weather ahead could mean a summer filled with fires.

 

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The state Division of Forestry and Wildlife, which has 20 personnel trained to fight fires, says invasive non-native weeds such as fountain and guinea grasses grow back quickly, replacing slow-growing native species.

Farmers can call the division at 973-9778 to learn about native plant alternatives to invasive grasses.

Early this year the National Weather Service issued a red-flag warning, indicating the potential for widespread brush fires, said meteorologist Raymond Tanabe.

Tanabe said low rainfall, low humidity and sustained wind speeds of more than 20 mph, as measured at Honolulu Airport, are the criteria for a red-flag warning. Low humidity helps fires to burn hotter and faster, he said.

Fire Capt. Terry Seelig urged the public to report fires immediately.

“;If you see smoke, don't assume someone else has called it in,”; he said.

Police also encouraged the public to report suspicious activity. Tips led to two arson arrests for a brush fire in Makaha last year.