US media: Report shows that Hawaii has long underestimated fire threat emergency response | Management Agency | Hawaii State
CNN reported in the 13th local time that a report released by Hawaii's emergency management agency last year stated that local disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanoes were a significant threat to disasters. However, the report did not classify fires as serious disasters, and the local government severely underestimated the threat of fires. The report points out that the long-term underestimation of the fire threat is one of the main reasons for the major disaster caused by the Maui Island fire.
According to the report, the threat level of wildfires to the personal safety of local residents was rated as "low"; In another report in 2021, it was also mentioned that there is insufficient funding for preventing and mitigating the hazards of wildfires. The threat of local wildfires has surged, and the area of fires has been increasing year by year. However, the fire department has not mentioned what measures should be taken to prevent fires. Despite knowing that the risk of fire is constantly increasing and the fire protection system is overwhelmed, the relevant local departments have failed to make improvements to the current situation due to reasons such as insufficient funds.
Hawaii Congressman Gil Detain: For Hawaii, the power of hurricanes and the emergency situations they bring, such as wildfires, are not unfamiliar. When Hurricane Ryan hit in 2018, we all experienced these things, but we did not learn from them. We underestimated the severity and speed of the fire.
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The safety recommendations for hurricanes, tsunamis, flash floods, or earthquakes are clearly organized and visible on the public resources webpage of the Hawaii State Emergency Management Agency. Regarding the threat of wildfires, only two brief descriptions were made at the bottom of the page, and there were no similar suggestions on how to maintain safety.
Climate scientists say that not only Maui Island, but many parts of Hawaii are highly susceptible to wildfires, and fire prevention urgently needs to be taken seriously. As of now, the relevant departments in Hawaii and Maui have not responded to the allegations of underestimating the fire threat.