Update: Red flag warning canceled; wind advisory extended through Wednesday

4:12 p.m. update on Tuesday: The National Weather Service has canceled the red flag warning for leeward and interior areas of Hawai‘i Island, but extended the wind advisory for Hāmākua, North and South Kohala, Ka‘ū, and Puna Districts, and interior areas through Wednesday evening.

As a wind advisory is still in effect, continue to exercise caution as dry conditions will continue to persist.

Original post: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a red flag warning from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today for leeward, interior and northern portions of the Big Island.

A wind advisory also remains in effect until 6 p.m. tonight for much of the same area of the Big Island.

Although an area of showers is moving over the Hawaiian Islands this morning, it has not brought significant rainfall to leeward areas of the state. Additionally, a drier air mass will move over the islands by this afternoon, bringing an increased risk for fire danger because of strong and gusty trade winds.

Northeast winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, combined with relative humidity as low as 40% and dry fuel sources during the warning period could contribute to extreme fire behavior. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.

A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are occurring or will shortly. It does not predict new fire starts.

Outdoor burning is not recommended. Delay activities that could throw off sparks.

For actions you can take to protect life and property from wildfires, visit the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization website.