Non-native grass species blamed for ferocity of Hawaii wildfires

Failure to heed warnings over unchecked growth meant blaze was a disaster waiting to happen', say scientists and academics

Scientists and academics say they have been warning for several years that invasive grasses covering a quarter of the Hawaii islands are a major fire risk.

Untamed grassland helped fuel the spread and intensity of last week's deadly fires on the island of Maui, according to experts. The fires, which broke out last Tuesday, have killed at least 106 people and destroyed the island's historic town of Lahaina.