Ian Bauer

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

(TNS)

The 2026 Wildfire LOOKOUT! campaign officially launched Tuesday with city, state and federal officials warning that abundant wet-season vegetation growth could fuel heightened wildfire risk across Hawaii through the rest of the year.

In its 11th year, the annual campaign is a statewide public awareness effort coordinated by the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife in partnership with multiple government, academic and nonprofit agencies.

Mindful of the devastating Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires propelled by hurricane-force winds that killed 102 people, officials said the program aims to better inform homeowners, landowners and communities about wildfire risks while encouraging preparedness and prevention across the islands.

“Protecting our communities from wildfires is a responsibility we all share,” Mayor Rick Blangiardi said during a news conference in front of Honolulu Hale. “This is something that the government doesn’t do alone. This is something that we need everybody participating in, including our community.”

Honolulu Fire Department Assistant Chief Reid Yoshida spoke about the dangers wildfires pose year-round on Oahu.

But before doing so, he requested a moment of silence to honor three firefighters killed over the weekend while battling a massive, wind-driven wildfire along the Colorado- Utah border.

On Saturday, federal wildland firefighters Emily Barker, 38, and Nick Hutcherson and Sydney Watson, both 27, were members of a specialized helitack crew responding to a rapidly spreading blaze in western Colorado when conditions deteriorated and they were overcome by flames.

“They made the ultimate sacrifice while battling the Snyder Fire this past weekend,” Yoshida said. “On behalf of all firefighters in the state of Hawaii, we extend our deepest condolences to their families, loved ones, fellow firefighters and the communities they served.”

He added firefighters across Hawaii share “a universal message” that wildfire risk is real, including on Oahu.

“Wildfire is not just a rural issue,” Yoshida said. “Neighborhoods where homes meet open land, along with dry vegetation and changing weather conditions, can allow a small fire to spread very quickly.”

He said prevention should begin long before anyone makes a 911 call.

“That is why this statewide campaign focuses on the actions every resident can take today,” Yoshida said. “Staying aware of fire conditions, reducing hazards around your homes, having an evacuation plan and knowing where to find trusted information when conditions change.”

Pao Chi Hwang, HFD’s fire prevention battalion chief, said most wildland fires do not start on their own.

“When people think about wildfires, they often think about drought, strong winds or extreme weather,” he said. “But the truth is that in Hawaii, nearly 99% of wildfires are started by human activity, most often by accident.”

He added prevention also means avoiding activities that can ignite dried vegetation. That includes parking vehicles in dry grass, leaving barbecues unattended, or operating yard equipment such as weed trimmers or chainsaws that can generate sparks.

“These may seem like small things, but during dry and windy conditions, a single spark can become a fast-­moving wildfire that threatens homes, businesses, communities, natural resources and lives,” Hwang said.

John Bravender, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said this year’s weather pattern involving an El Nino has contributed to increased wildfire risk following a wetter-than-average season.

“It doesn’t take a lot to dry out the grasses that we have growing here,” he added.

Nani Barretto, co-director of the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization, said wildfire preparedness starts around homes and yards.

“Wildfire is one of the few hazards where there’s actually a lot we can do ahead of time to reduce risks,” she said.

Barretto noted home­owners should keep lawn grasses cut short and clear dead leaves, dried vegetation and other debris from around homes and structures. She also emphasized maintaining the first 5 feet around a home.

“No plants touching the house, no leaf piles, no mulch beds,” she said. “Keep that area — the first 5 feet — lean, clean and green.”

Randal Collins, director of the city Department of Emergency Management, said residents should also be prepared to evacuate if a wildfire threatens homes and neighborhoods.

“You need to have a go-kit in place that has all of your important documents, that has your medications, that has anything that’s important to you that you need in the next 48 to 72 hours to be in that go-kit and to be ready to go at a moment’s notice,” he said.

Collins noted families should also plan in advance where they will meet and how they’ll communicate following an evacuation.

While Wildfire LOOKOUT! is focused on wildfire prevention and preparedness, HFD said it will continue enforcing city fire codes against property owners who fail to clear overgrown vegetation or maintain properties, potentially increasing wildfire risk.

Hwang said HFD enforces the city’s fire code by sending its inspectors to properties to identify fire hazards. “They’ll take a look, and if there’s any fire code violations as far as vegetation and those kinds of hazards, we’ll contact the owner or management company to correct them,” he said.

Inspectors may issue fire inspection reports requiring property owners to correct or mitigate hazardous conditions, he added.

“If they fail to do so, we’ll proceed and move on to a notice of violation,” Hwang said. “The fire code states that you can actually prosecute: I believe it’s up to a $1,000 fine and one year imprisonment.

“So our process is after a final notice and nothing is done after a period of time, we’ll refer these cases to the city prosecutor’s office,” he said.

Although not tied to this wildfire awareness campaign, the mayor also highlighted his administration’s renewed efforts to crack down on illegal fireworks use during the Independence Day holiday on Oahu.

Blangiardi added that he was “pretty much frustrated” by what seemed an inadequate enforcement response to illegal aerial fireworks and their users during last year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.

“But I can promise you this time that there will be unprecedented enforcement from the standpoint of violations,” the mayor said.

For more information on wildfire preparedness, visit .

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