Some Hawaiian drivers were urged to park in paved areas Friday as a red flag warning from the National Weather Service (NWS) warned of “extreme fire behavior” if sparks ignited.

A red flag warning was issued for the leeward portions of all Hawaiian Islands until 6:00 PM local time on Friday evening. Although red flag warnings do not predict new fires, the warning means that critical firefighting is occurring or will begin soon. Critical firefighting occurs when there are strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures that contribute to extreme fire behavior.

“Outdoor burning is not recommended,” according to NWS Honolulu’s red flag warning on its website. “The heat from vehicle exhaust systems can ignite dry grass. Park cars in areas that are paved or where vegetation is being pruned and cleared. High winds contribute to the wildfire hazard. Postpone activities that could throw off sparks until the wind has died down.”

East winds were between 20 and 30 miles per hour, with gusts up to 45 miles per hour and relative humidity of only 40 to 45 percent.

Red flag warnings are normal for this time of year, NWS meteorologist Thomas Vaughan said Newsweek. As Hawaii transitions from the dry period to the winter wet season, some vegetation remains dry as winds increase during the seasonal change. Wildfire season typically runs from August through November, Vaughan said.

Windy conditions could continue into Saturday morning, Vaughan added, but moisture is expected to ease concerns about the fire later in the day.

In addition to the red flag warning in Hawaii, high surf statements, gale warnings, small craft advisories, wind advisories and coastal flooding were also issued for the Aloha State. Many of the advisories related to windy conditions.

“The trade winds will remain breezy through the weekend,” the NWS office in Honolulu posted on X, formerly Twitter, earlier this week. “Showers will move over windward and mauka areas, while also lingering in some leeward areas. Drier air should move in on Friday, followed by heavier showers on Saturday.”

In August 2023, Hawaii battled explosive wildfires on Maui that tore through Lahaina. The fires killed more than a hundred people and left thousands homeless.

The red flag warning in Hawaii comes as other regions of the United States have also experienced a high risk of wildfires, namely the Northeast, including New Jersey and New York. A dry spell in the Northeast has worsened drought and wildfire conditions in several states, contributing to the record number of wildfires the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) responded to this past week.

The National Interagency Fire Center reported that there are currently four states experiencing major wildfires: California, Massachusetts, North Carolina and West Virginia.

The NWS also issued red flag warnings Friday for southern Connecticut, southern Vermont, Maine, New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.