Downslope Windstorm Is Possible Cause Behind America's Deadliest Wildfire in Maui

Fuel TechHigh Tech / High Touch
Written By Jennifer Joslyn

The Lahaina Fire on Maui, responsible for the deadliest wildfire in American history, was fueled by a downslope windstorm, debunking earlier links to nearby Hurricane Dora. Laboratory models and simulations showed that the wildfire's devastation was caused by strong easterly trade winds intensified by a high-pressure system north of Hawaii, reaching hurricane force as they moved downhill. This meteorological phenomenon, combined with flammable fuels, strong winds, and an ignition source, created a recipe for destructive fires, similar to conditions often seen in California. The fire left 100 people dead, 271 structures damaged or destroyed, and nearly 6,200 people homeless, intensifying a housing crisis that officials are struggling to address.

Read more at Daily Mail UK >

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Jennifer Joslyn
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