The causes behind the Maui fires and destruction

How Maui’s wildfires became so apocalyptic A large hurricane, drought, and perhaps even invasive grasses have fueled the devastating fires in Hawaii. Benji Jones Vox

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The simplest reason parts of Maui are burning is that it’s hot and dry — summer is the dry season. And dry, hot weather provides the foundation for extreme wildfires by sucking moisture out of vegetation and essentially turning it into kindling. (That’s partly why the Canada wildfires have been so severe this year, too.)

Zooming out, carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels are making the planet hotter and deepening droughts around the world. Hawaii is no exception. Today, there’s less rainfall in 90 percent of the state compared to a century ago, according to the state government.

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