Hawaii’s wildfire risk increases after wildest fire in Maui in 100 years

The fire on the island of Maui, part of Hawaii, is the longest wildfire in the United States in over a hundred years. At least 96 people died in the fire, local officials said Monday morning. The number is likely to rise as more victims are being sought.

According to data from the U.S. Fire Protection Agency, only four times before — more than a hundred years ago — has a fire claimed more lives in the United States. The fire is Hawaii’s worst natural disaster, according to Reuters.

Last Tuesday, a fire broke out outside the historic resort town of Lahaina on Maui’s west coast. According to the local government, 80 percent of the city has been destroyed. Fires broke out elsewhere on the island.

Firefighters have now brought most of the wildfire under control, but are still on alert for possible flare-ups. According to local government information, about 1,150 hectares of land has been destroyed.

According to University of Hawaii researchers, the probability of wildfires in Hawaii has increased in recent decades. This is due to the vegetation on the island – former fields and gardens now host exotic grasses such as buffalo grass that catch fire easily. According to researchers, the grasses were once introduced as animal food and now occupy a quarter of Hawaii’s landmass.

Large parts of Maui will be drier than usual this summer, according to the US Drought Monitor. Humidity was also low and winds were strong as Cyclone Dora moved into the Pacific Ocean.