Update: Red flag warning and wind advisory canceled for Kaua‘i

3:56 p.m. Thursday update: The National Weather Service has canceled the red flag warning for leeward portions of Kaua‘i.

This story was updated at 6:09 p.m. Aug. 30.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the leeward side of Kaua‘i County through 6 p.m. Thursday. To prevent any fires, the Kaua‘i Fire Department urges residents and visitors to remain vigilant.

The Kaua‘i Fire Department is advising the following to prevent fires:

• Refrain from ALL outdoor burning, including cooking;
• Avoid the use of mechanized equipment outdoors, including the use of yardwork equipment;
• Do not drive your vehicle in dry, tall grass. The underside of your vehicle is hot and can easily ignite grasses from your exhaust muffler;
• Ensure trailer chains do not drag on the ground;
• Be aware of wind direction and gusts that could spread fire rapidly;
• Have an escape route to a clear area safe from rapid-fire spread; and
• Report any possible fires – including signs of smoke or flames – by calling Kaua‘i Police Department Dispatch at 808-241-1711.

A Red Flag Warning means critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or will occur shortly. The combination of dry fuels, strong and gusty trade winds, and low relative humidity levels could produce extreme fire behavior. A Red Flag Warning does not predict new fire starts.

The warning may be extended, dropped, or modified as conditions develop.

For weather updates, call the National Weather Service automated weather line at 808-245-6001, or visit the NWS website, www.weather.gov/hfo.

To sign up for the county’s emergency notification service, Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS), please go to www.Kauai.gov/kema  or call the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency at 808-241-1800.

For more information about fire safety, please contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at 808-241-4985.

In response to the red flag warning, Kaua‘i Island Utility Co-op also is taking action:

• The electrical line serving Kōke‘e will be de-energized. About 100 co-op members in Kōke‘e and Makaha Ridge will be impacted. Power will likely not be restored to this area until after the warning is rescinded and crews have inspected the lines to ensure they can be safely re-energized.

• The electrical line serving the Maha‘ulepu area will also be de-energized. This impacts a very small number of members, who have been contacted directly.

• Electrical circuits serving Port Allen to Mana will be set to not automatically re-close. This means if power is lost on one or more of these circuits, the areas served by those circuits might not be restored until after the red flag warning is rescinded and crews have inspected the lines.

• Co-op troubleshooters will be patrolling leeward areas and additional actions could be taken if warranted.

The utility cooperative anticipates these actions will remain in effect until the red flag warning period has ended.