The hellacious wildfires raging across the western U.S. mainland are a dramatic warning to heed expert observations that the Hawaiian islands, too, are ripe for blazes.

Some 86% of Hawaii is now abnormally dry, with more than half the state suffering from moderate drought or worse. The June 4-5 Paauilo blaze on Hawaii island was the first major wildfire this season, burning 1,400 agricultural acres; Oahu already has had 60 small brush fires since May 30.

Just this week, the Big Island got another scare when a brush fire broke out late Tuesday in Waimea’s Ouli Gulch, engulfing about 200 acres and proceeding downhill toward Kamuela View Estates and South Kohala View Estates before it was largely contained by Wednesday afternoon.

“As we proceed through the summer,” noted National Weather Service hydrologist Kevin Kodama about the dry conditions, “it will probably expand and get worse.”

Meanwhile, much, much worse is being seen throughout the western U.S., where dozens of blazes continue to rage across California, Idaho, Montana and Arizona, where two firefighters were killed last Saturday. The largest is the fast-moving “Bootleg” wildfire in southern Oregon, which had burned more than 377 square miles after a week, yet remained only 7% contained Friday morning. It has destroyed at least 21 homes, threatened 1,900 and set off evacuations.

The Western wildfires have been fueled by extreme drought conditions, high temperatures and single-digit humidity. In California, this wildfire season has been sparked by ongoing drought plus historically low rainfall and reservoir levels — already, nearly 5,000 fires have burned at least 142,477 acres, destroyed at least 119 building and injured at least six firefighters.

Against such a devastating backdrop, Hawaii residents would be wise to take preventative actions now.

“Fire is the one natural hazard where you have a say in what happens,” said Elizabeth Pickett of the Hawaii Wildfire Organization. “Fire follows fuel.”

Much can be done to reduce fuel for any spark or ember. Clean out gutters; rake and remove leaves; clear away dead or dying branches and debris; keep vegetation green and away from the house and structures. Also, be aware that stored combustibles can be a fire risk.

With all that in mind, take stock of your environment today — and do your part to remove or reduce opportunities for a spark to quickly turn into a ravenous wildfire.