Assessing Fire Risk in the Hawaiian Islands: A Satellite Imagery Analysis of Leeward Sides

Abstract

The 2023 Hawaiian Island wildfires were intensified by winds from Hurricane Dora and a separate high-pressure front, resulting in significant land cover damage. Satellite imagery offers a non-invasive and scalable method to analyze wildfire impacts in areas where data gathering is sparse and difficult to obtain. This study leverages this data to assess the damage caused by the 2023 Hawaiian Island leeward wildfires. By adopting a supervised classification algorithm to categorize satellite images and assess damage levels, along with mapping geospatial data related to wildfire exposure and vulnerabilities, we will conduct a detailed analysis that incorporates fire risk, burned areas, land cover, and climatological data. A historical perspective of 110 years of large-scale wildfires in Hawaii underscores the need for comprehensive data on fire behavior, wildland-urban interface, invasive species, and drought conditions. Our approach identifies not only burned areas but also potential fire risks in regions with limited water and frequent burns, thus contributing to a better understanding of wildfire dynamics and impacts in the region.

Building upon existing research utilizing satellite images for large-scale wildfire assessments in Europe and North America, our research addresses a critical gap in wildfire assessments for the Hawaiian Islands. The accessibility of such data provides an opportunity for extensive fire risk and behavior analysis, supporting urban planning, environmental science, and public policy research. By sharing these findings with local communities, fire departments, and the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, we aim to strengthen wildfire management and mitigation efforts and build resilient policies.