Deadly Wildfires Sweep Across Maui, Hawaii
WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) — Thousands of Hawaii residents raced to escape their homes on Maui as wildfires swept across the island, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming the lives of at least 36 people. The blazes, which have been described as one of the deadliest U.S. wildfires in recent years, caught the island by surprise, engulfing historic buildings and forcing residents and tourists to flee for their lives.
Lahaina Town, a centuries-old town dating back to the 1700s and a popular tourist destination, was particularly hard-hit. Once bustling streets now lay in ruins, with burned-out cars and smoking piles of rubble replacing the vibrant atmosphere. The fires, which started on Tuesday, continue to rage in several places on the island, prompting officials to warn that the death toll could rise.
According to a statement from Maui County, at least 271 structures have been damaged or destroyed, and dozens of people have been injured. The 2018 Camp Fire in California, which killed at least 85 people and devastated the town of Paradise, serves as a grim reminder of the destructive power of wildfires.
Residents Kamuela Kawaakoa and Iiulia Yasso shared their harrowing escape from Lahaina. They managed to grab a change of clothes before fleeing their apartment as the surrounding bushes caught fire. As they drove away, they witnessed a senior center across the road being consumed by flames. The couple called 911 but were unsure if the people inside managed to escape. Kawaakoa expressed his helplessness, saying, “It was so hard to sit there and just watch my town burn to ashes and not be able to do anything.”
Tourists have been advised to stay away from the affected areas, and approximately 11,000 visitors have already left Maui. Another 1,500 are expected to depart on Thursday. The Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu has been prepared to accommodate the displaced residents.
Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen Jr. acknowledged the unprecedented challenges faced by the island, stating, “We are grieving with each other during this inconsolable time. In the days ahead, we will be stronger as a ‘kaiaulu,’ or community, as we rebuild with resilience and aloha.”
The fires were fueled by strong winds from Hurricane Dora, which was passing far to the south. Climate change experts have warned that extreme weather events like this are becoming more frequent due to climate change.
Fires in Hawaii differ from those in the U.S. West, as they tend to break out in large grasslands on the dry sides of the islands and are generally smaller in scale. However, a major fire on the Big Island in 2021 resulted in the evacuation of thousands of residents. Currently, blazes are also occurring on the Big Island, although no injuries or destroyed homes have been reported.
As the winds eased on Wednesday, pilots were able to assess the extent of the devastation. Aerial footage showed dozens of homes and businesses reduced to rubble, with smoking heaps of debris and charred trees lining the streets. Helicopter pilot Richard Olsten, who has been flying over the area for over 50 years, described the scene as horrifying, saying, “We had tears in our eyes.”
Search-and-rescue teams are now combing through the devastated areas in search of survivors. However, officials have expressed concerns that the death toll could rise further as the fires continue to burn. Efforts are underway to restore communication lines, distribute water, and potentially deploy additional law enforcement personnel.
President Joe Biden has ordered all available federal assets to assist with the response. The Hawaii National Guard has mobilized helicopters for fire suppression and search-and-rescue operations. In a statement, President Biden expressed his condolences, saying, “Our prayers are with those who have seen their homes, businesses, and communities destroyed.”
The cause of the fires is still under investigation, but officials have pointed to the combination of dry conditions, low humidity, and high winds as contributing factors. As the affected communities grapple with the aftermath of the devastating wildfires, they are determined to rebuild with resilience and the spirit of aloha.Deadly Wildfires Sweep Across Maui, Hawaii
WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) — Thousands of Hawaii residents raced to escape their homes on Maui as wildfires swept across the island, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming the lives of at least 36 people. The blazes, which erupted unexpectedly, destroyed parts of Lahaina Town, a centuries-old town that has long been a popular tourist destination.
The fires caught residents off guard, leaving behind burned-out cars and smoking piles of rubble where historic buildings once stood. Crews battled the blazes in multiple locations on the island, and some residents were forced to flee into the ocean to escape the flames.
According to a statement from Maui County, at least 36 people have died in the fires, with no further details available at this time. Earlier reports indicated that 271 structures were damaged or destroyed, and dozens of people were injured. This makes it one of the deadliest wildfires in recent years, second only to the 2018 Camp Fire in California, which claimed the lives of at least 85 people.
Officials have warned that the death toll in Hawaii could rise as the fires continue to burn and search teams comb through charred areas. Lahaina residents Kamuela Kawaakoa and Iiulia Yasso described their harrowing escape, recounting how they barely made it out of their apartment as the surrounding bushes caught fire. They witnessed a senior center across the road erupt in flames and called 911, unsure if the people inside were able to escape.
As the fires continue to rage, tourists have been advised to stay away from the affected areas. Approximately 11,000 visitors flew out of Maui on Wednesday, with another 1,500 expected to leave on Thursday. The Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu has been prepared to accommodate the thousands of displaced individuals.
Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen Jr. expressed his grief over the devastating situation, stating that the island has been tested like never before. He emphasized the importance of unity and resilience as the community begins the process of rebuilding.
The fires on Maui were fueled by strong winds from Hurricane Dora, which was passing far to the south. This event is the latest in a series of disasters caused by extreme weather around the world this summer, with experts attributing these events to climate change.
Fires in Hawaii differ from those in the U.S. West, as they tend to break out in large grasslands on the dry sides of the islands and are generally smaller in scale. However, a major fire on the Big Island in 2021 burned homes and forced thousands to evacuate. Currently, the Big Island is also experiencing wildfires, although there have been no reports of injuries or destroyed homes.
As the winds eased on Maui, pilots were able to assess the extent of the devastation. Aerial footage showed dozens of homes and businesses razed, including the iconic Front Street, which was once a bustling hub for tourists. The aftermath revealed smoking heaps of rubble, scorched boats in the harbor, and charred trees.
Search-and-rescue teams are now combing through the devastated areas in search of survivors. However, officials have acknowledged the possibility of additional deaths due to the large and fast-moving nature of the fires.
With power outages affecting approximately 14,500 customers in Maui, many people are struggling to communicate with their loved ones. Cell service and phone lines are down in some areas, prompting individuals to post messages on social media in hopes of connecting with friends and family.
President Joe Biden has ordered all available federal assets to assist with the response efforts. The Hawaii National Guard has mobilized helicopters for fire suppression and search-and-rescue operations. Governor Josh Green has cut short his trip and plans to return to the island, while acting Governor Sylvia Luke has issued an emergency proclamation and urged tourists to stay away.
The devastating impact of the wildfires has left residents and business owners in shock. Alan Dickar, who owns properties in Lahaina, expressed his sorrow over the loss, stating that the economic heart of the island has been severely affected.
The immediate cause of the fires is still under investigation, but officials have pointed to dry conditions, low humidity, and high winds as contributing factors.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, they are determined to rebuild with resilience and aloha, embodying the spirit of unity and strength that defines Hawaii.
Sinco Kelleher reported from Honolulu, and Perry reported from Wellington, New Zealand. Associated Press writers Christopher Weber in Los Angeles and Beatrice Dupuy in New York contributed to this report.
What efforts are being made to assist the affected communities in the aftermath of the fires in Hawaii?
With debris and charred trees lining the streets. Helicopter pilot Richard Olsten, who has been flying over the area for over 50 years, described the scene as heart-wrenching.
Rescue teams are now searching through the destroyed areas for any survivors. However, officials are concerned that the death toll may continue to rise as the fires continue to burn. Efforts are underway to restore communication lines, distribute water, and possibly deploy additional law enforcement personnel.
In response to the devastating situation, President Joe Biden has ordered all available federal assets to assist with the response. The Hawaii National Guard has mobilized helicopters for fire suppression and search-and-rescue operations. President Biden expressed his condolences to the affected communities, stating that their prayers are with those who have lost their homes and businesses.
The cause of the fires is still under investigation, but officials believe that dry conditions, low humidity, and high winds played a role in the rapid spread of the blazes. The affected communities are determined to rebuild with resilience and the spirit of aloha as they recover from this tragic event.
