Hawaii ravaged by brush fires in fresh devastation for Big Island during volcano eruption
HAWAII is being ravaged by brush fires in fresh devastation as it battles the Mount Kilauea volcano eruption.
By JOE GAMP
Express.co.uk
Thu, Jul 19, 2018
The fires emerged in the north of the Big Island at about 8.15am BST (9.15pm Wednesday local time), just a day after 122 acres of land were engulfed in a blaze near Punaluu Black Sand Beach in the south of the island.
Hawaii is no stranger to fast spreading bush fires. In winter they are extinguished by damp vegetation, but the Kilauea eruption has made it warmer on the island, making it easier for the blazes to spread.
July is in the middle of Hawaii’s “dry” season, meaning less rainfall and hot summer temperatures have both contributed to the spread of bush fires on the island.
The eruption of Kilauea in may this year has caused significant damage to the island, with more than 20 fissures in the area surrounding the mountain appearing.
Most of the fissures are dormant, but Fissure 8, the most aggressive of the landscape cracks, has been spewing lava, at times more than 150 feet into the air.
The lava has carved a new channel in to the landscape, as it makes its way to the Pacific Ocean.
When it comes into contact with sea water, it creates a highly dangerous, toxic byproduct called laze.
It is highly corrosive and combines steam and volcanic glass and can cause severe irritation, lung damage and breathing difficulties.
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