National Weather Service cancels red flag warning for Hawaii
ASSOCIATED PRESS / AUG. 13
Linemen work on poles in Lahaina on Aug.13, less than a week after the deadly wildfire that destroyed most of the historic seaside town. Hawaiian Electric said today it is taking steps to safely “keep the lights on” during the current red flag warning for leeward areas of all islands.
UPDATE, 3:45 p.m.
The National Weather Service in Honolulu has canceled the red flag warning for leeward areas of all Hawaiian islands.
“While fuels remain quite dry, and relative humidity dropped into the mid 40s this afternoon, wind speeds have dropped below Red Flag Warning criteria,” NWS said in a statement this afternoon.
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Hawaiian Electric said today it is taking steps to safely “keep the lights on” during the current red flag warning for leeward areas of all islands, however the company said some precautions could lead to temporary power outages.
The company says it has stationed monitors to physically survey electrical infrastructure in over 30 areas identified as high wildfire risk on Oahu, Maui County, and Hawaii island to help ensure safe and reliable service. Additionally, the company said in a news release that it “will not reenergize lines that trip during high winds until they can be inspected. Some of these actions may result in extended outages for some customers.”
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The National Weather Service issued the red flag warning Wednesday afternoon for the leeward side of all Hawaiian islands due to the combination of gusts up to 40 to 50 mph, low relative humidity, and dry fuels. The warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. today.
Hawaiian Electric, which supplies electricity to 95% of the state on all islands except Kauai, said it continues to collaborate with the Hawaii Department of Defense and state and county emergency management officials to minimize wildfire risk and support public safety on the islands that it serves.
RELATED STORY: KIUC de-energizes power lines on Kauai amid red flag warning
Maui County, meanwhile, said National Guard members are positioned at observation points in high-risk areas of West and Central Maui and Upcountry to monitor conditions.
The Maui Fire Department has also increased personnel in West and Central Maui, and has repositioned a CH-47 Chinook helicopter with a 2,000-gallon water bucket on Maui.
To report a downed line or power outage, the public should call Hawaiian Electric at 855-304-1212, or call 911 if it’s an emergency.
