Schatz: New Report Forecasting High Risk of Wildfires in Hawai‘i Should be Taken Seriously

HONOLULU – Today, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) issued its assessment on the 2016 fire season.  NIFC forecasters predict that Hawai‘i, Alaska, and portions of the Southwest will face an elevated risk of wildfires.  In response, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement.

“This elevated threat of wildfires in Hawai‘i should be taken seriously,” said Senator Schatz. “I am working with Department of the Interior and the Senate Appropriations Committee to ensure that adequate funding for fire prevention and response will be available for Hawai‘i as we move into fire season. I am also looking forward to discussing wildfire research when I meet with U.S. Forest Service officials in Hilo this week.”

Forecasts like this one by the National Interagency Fire Center are only possible with forecasts that can look beyond the 10-day horizon and provide insight at the seasonal and inter-annual scales.  The Seasonal Forecasting Improvement Act, introduced by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senator Schatz and passed by the Senate, will support the science and research needed to sharpen our forecasting skill and prepare better for threats such as this.