After being scorched by fire, some trees on the island of Maui in Hawaii (USA) have survived. Environmental experts believe this is not unusual.
Spread of Information
Some social media posts following the outbreak of wildfires on Maui, part of the Hawaiian archipelago in the United States, suggest that the survival of certain trees is evidence that the fires were somehow orchestrated to deliberately burn down homes and vehicles.
An Instagram user shared images of the devastation after the fire in Maui—where buildings were reduced to ashes but surrounding trees remained standing—with the caption: “Cars and homes have almost evaporated, yet the trees around them still stand… there’s something suspicious about this photo.”
Some trees may stand firm or be less affected by the fire. (Photo: Reuters).
Fact-Checking
According to reports from Reuters, not all trees were untouched by the wildfires. Images from Reuters and satellite imagery provided by Maxar Technologies indicate that many buildings, vehicles, and trees were damaged after the fire. Some trees were heavily affected, yet still remained standing.
However, the fact that some trees can withstand or be less impacted by the fire compared to cars or homes is not unusual.
Experts suggest that this depends on various factors, including the moisture content on the surface and inside the trees, as well as the way the fire spreads across an area.
Dense branches filled with moisture are not easily ignited. Some species of trees are more fire-resistant than others. For example, ponderosa pines that are 4-5 years old or older typically develop thicker bark, helping to protect the tree from low-intensity fires. Certain plant species native to Hawaii, such as the Hawaiian koa tree, also demonstrate “some degree of fire resistance.”
Clarification
Social media posts claiming that some trees remained standing after the fires on Maui indicate that the fire was staged are misleading. Sometimes, trees can survive intense fires due to factors such as their moisture content and how the fire spreads…
The serious wildfire outbreak that began on August 9 on the island of Maui in Hawaii has claimed the lives of 114 people, with at least 1,000 individuals still missing. The fire has destroyed over 2,200 structures and damaged another 500, with estimated damages nearing $6 billion.
