JAMM AQUINO / July 31
Hawaii will be under a fire weather watch from Friday morning through Saturday afternoon. Dry brush is seen in Waianae in July.
The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for all Hawaii islands from Friday morning through Saturday afternoon as high winds, dry brush and low humidity increase the threat that any wildfire could spread quickly.
The watch, which means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur, covers most leeward and central areas of all islands and the northern part of Hawaii island, forecasters said today.
“Dry and windy conditions will develop during the day on both Friday and Saturday as high pressure moves east, north of the islands, the watch says. “This will increase the local pressure gradient and coincide with a pocket of drier air moving into the region, likely producing critical fire weather conditions.”
The main fire weather concerns will be from late morning through the afternoon each day when relative humidity is lowest, forecasters said.
They said winds will be from 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph, and relative humidity will be as low as 40 to 45 percent.
“Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended,” the watch said.
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