Hawaiian Electric Monitoring Wildfire Risk This Week

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Hawaiian Electric is closely monitoring weather conditions that could lead to an increased risk of wildfires in parts of Maui County and Hawaii Island later this week. Customers in these high-risk areas are urged to prepare for the possibility of extended power outages from Monday through Thursday as the utility may need to proactively shut off power to prevent wildfires.

Why it matters

Public safety power shutoffs are an important tool for utility companies to prevent wildfires, but they can also cause significant disruptions for customers. This announcement gives residents in the affected areas advance notice to make preparations in case their power is shut off.

The details

The National Weather Service forecast office in Honolulu reported that strong high pressure far north of the islands will sink southward and weaken, maintaining breezy trade winds for much of the week. While showers will be focused on windward and mauka areas, some will reach leeward regions as well. These conditions, combined with low humidity and dry vegetation near Hawaiian Electric equipment, increase the risk of power lines being damaged or debris blowing into lines and sparking wildfires.

• The potential public safety power shutoffs could occur from Monday, February 16 through Thursday, February 19.
• Hawaiian Electric will continue to monitor the weather conditions and provide updates to customers.

What’s next

Hawaiian Electric will continue to monitor the weather conditions and provide updates to customers through its message broadcast system, news releases, and social media. Customers can also call the utility's Public Safety Power Shutoff Hotline or visit its website for more information.