HB1419

Hawaii HB1419 mandates the use of specific terminology for wildfire stages in public communications and internal guidelines.

Hawaii HB1419 amends Chapter 132 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to require county fire chiefs, the state fire marshal, and the state fire council to use defined terms when discussing wildfire stages. These terms include "controlled," "extinguished," and "uncontrolled." The bill aims to ensure consistent and clear communication about wildfire status, especially given the risk of lingering hotspots reigniting fires. This Act responds to the increasing evidence of wildfires reigniting from unextinguished hotspots, such as the 2023 Lahaina fire.