Fire Watch for leeward portions of Hawai‘i Island extended through Thursday

A Fire Watch for leeward portions of the Hawaiian Islands has been extended from Thursday morning through Thursday afternoon.

Hawai‘i Fire Department is watching for blazes from Pāhala in the Ka‘ū District all the way up to Hawī in North Kohala. Deputy Fire Chief Eric Moller anticipates the Fire Watch to rise to a Warning.

According to the National Weather Service, Trade winds of 15 to 30 mph are expected with gusts of 40 to 45 mph. The strongest wind gusts will be downwind of the terrain. Minimum humidities are expected to be 35 to 45% on Thursday.

Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

The National Weather Service said winds for this event will not be comparable in strength to the Aug. 8 fire, where gusts of over 60 mph swept through West Maui and razed Lāhainā to the ground, killing at least 115 people.