VNR: New maps developed by UH improve Hawaiʻi’s wildfire risk warnings

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Contact:

Link to video and sound (details below): https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/bZyDDcKNp7

***VOSOT script below for consideration***

Scientists at the University of Hawaiʻi have developed new wildfire risk maps to better predict fire danger across the state. Unlike the current Red Flag Warning system, which relies on weather from a limited number of stations, these maps provide a daily, high-resolution look at the most current fire ignition risks statewide.

"This new mapping system gives us a clearer, more detailed picture of wildfire risks across Hawaiʻi. By providing daily updates and a long-term dataset, we hope to improve preparedness and help protect communities from future fires," said Professor Sayed Bateni of UH Mānoa's Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) and Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering.

Publicly available on the Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal (HCDP), the maps are easy to access and available to communities and emergency responders to alert them to the risk of potential wildfires. Users are able to zoom in to a particular area to assess the current fire risk, and generate customized packages of data to export from the portal. Historical fire risk maps are also available for the past 20 years.

The maps are generated using real-time data obtained from various weather networks across the state including the Hawaiʻi Mesonet. The Hawaiʻi Mesonet currently consists of over 60 advanced weather stations with a total goal of 100 within the next two years. These stations provide valuable weather and climate monitoring and forecasting. The data collected can also be used for water resource management, agriculture, ranching, ecosystem and cultural resource protection and more.

"It's all about improving preparedness, especially in light of recent disasters like the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles and the tragic Lahaina fire," said Tom Giambelluca, retired UH Mānoa professor of Geography and Environment, former director of the WRRC, and leader of the Hawaiʻi Mesonet. "With real-time data on factors like soil moisture, we can better identify areas at high risk for wildfires or flooding."

Utilizing a well distributed network of weather stations is crucial in Hawaiʻi, where diverse landscapes create extreme climate variability. In West Maui, annual rainfall can differ by more than 140 inches within a mile, highlighting the need for precise, localized data.

"The Hawaiʻi Mesonet is adding high quality weather observations in places where they are most needed," Giambelluca said.

"This mapping system is a game-changer for wildfire preparedness in Hawaiʻi," said Clay Trauernicht, assistant specialist in the UH Mānoa Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management. "Using current data allows us to better anticipate fire risks and take proactive measures to protect communities."

The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency and Hawaiʻi State Legislature provided funding to create the fire ignition probability maps.

Bateni, Giambelluca, Trauernicht and Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center University Consortium Director Ryan Longman will host a presentation in person and online on April 1 at noon to explain how the maps were created, how they predict fire risk and how to access and use the data. Visit the website for more information.

Link to video and sound (details below): https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/bZyDDcKNp7

VIDEO:

BROLL: (0:30)

0:00-0:30 - Latest wildfire risk maps up to March 27, 2025

*Note: To view the most current maps, visit the Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal website, click on "visualize data," then "ignition probability" to select the dataset you would like to view and then click submit at the bottom.

SOUNDBITES:

Sayed Bateni, Professor in UH Mānoa's Water Resources Research Center and Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering

(0:09)

"The goal is to understand which areas in Hawaiʻi are prone to wildfires so therefore these fire maps help communities and emergency responders prepare for wildfires."

(0:19)

"The next step is to do real-time monitoring of vegetation humidity and the next step is to install AI-based cameras to detect the smoke. So all of these technologies together can help us a lot to prevent wildfires or reduce the impact of wildfires."

VOSOT SCRIPT:

INTRO:

New wildfire risk maps have been developed by scientists at the University of Hawaiʻi to help communities and first responders better predict and prepare for the threat of potential wildfires.

VO:

The publicly available maps provide a daily, high-resolution look at wildfire risks using real-time data from the Hawaiʻi Mesonet (*pronounced MEH-so-net) network.

Unlike the Red Flag Warning system, which relies on data from a limited number of weather stations, these maps offer a more comprehensive and localized assessment of potential fire danger.

SOT:

Sayed Bateni, Professor in UH Mānoa's Water Resources Research Center and Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering

"The goal is to understand which areas in Hawaiʻi are prone to wildfires so therefore these fire maps help communities and emergency responders prepare for wildfires."

VO:

Scientists will present more details about the wildfire risk maps and how to use them in a hybrid seminar on Tuesday at noon.