The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for West Hawaii, Ka‘u and parts of Puna.
The Red Flag Warning will last through 6 p.m. today and means that due to strong winds, low relative humidity, dry conditions and warm weather, the risk is high for fires to quickly spread out of control.
Due to the warning, Hawaiian Electric announced it may implement its Public Safety Power Shutoff program, or PSPS, to proactively shut off power in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk.
Customers in these areas are urged to implement their own emergency plans and prepare for the possibility of extended power outages, according to Hawaiian Electric.
For more information and maps, call Hawaiian Electric’s PSPS hotline at 1 (844) 483-8666 toll-free or go to hawaiianelectric.com/PSPS.
Meanwhile, Mayor Mitch Roth has signed an emergency proclamation that prohibits outdoor burning in North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, Ka‘u, “parts of Puna” and the Big Island interior between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Outdoor open flames are banned in the same districts during the same period, as are activities such as welding, grinding and flame-cutting.
The proclamation does not specify which parts of Puna.
Residents also are advised to avoid parking on dry vegetation, and instead favor pavement, asphalt or other cleared surfaces.
“With the current weather conditions, fire risk is high, and these measures are in place to protect our residents and property,” said Roth in a statement. “We ask the community to follow these rules and exercise caution.”
Hawaii County Civil Defense will provide updates about conditions via radio and through its Everbridge notification system.