Wildfire on Maui kills at least 6, damages over 270 structures as it sweeps through historic town

A devastating wildfire wreaked havoc on Maui, the Hawaiian island, during the dark hours of Wednesday, demolishing much of a historic town and forcing inhabitants to seek refuge in the ocean as the flames rapidly approached. The tragedy claimed at least six lives, leaving dozens injured and causing destruction to 271 buildings.

The fire’s relentless burn continued into Wednesday afternoon, intensified by the forceful winds originating from Hurricane Dora, which was making its way far to the south of the Hawaiian islands. Officials were alarmed that the number of fatalities might increase.

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen expressed profound grief over the loss, saying, “This is a deeply grievous day. The enormity of losing even one life is heartrending. We mourn with the families, and our prayers are with them during this unconsolable period.”

RELATED COVERAGE

• Hawaiian wildfires ravage homes and necessitate evacuations, strong winds hindering containment efforts
• Florida coral reef in peril due to elevated ocean temperatures, rescue teams in frantic action
• CLIMATE GLIMPSE: Essential information and visuals to understand today

With a decrease in wind speed, aerial assessments of the disaster were possible. U.S. Civil Air Patrol and the Maui Fire Department surveyed the coastal town of Lahaina, revealing the magnitude of the devastation. A spokesperson for Maui County, Mahina Martin, reported widespread destruction, including famous tourist destinations.

Video from the air displayed the remains of dozens of flattened homes and businesses in Lahaina. Tourist spots like Front Street were reduced to smoldering ruins. Scorched boats and the grim sight of charred trees bore witness to the disaster.

“I’ve never seen anything come close to that in my 52 years of flying here,” confessed Richard Olsten, a tour company helicopter pilot, describing the scene as horrifying.

The interim Governor Sylvia Luke characterized the fire’s devastation as annihilating entire communities and urged tourists to steer clear of the area. She warned, “This is not a safe place to be.”

Maui was planning a mass evacuation on Wednesday afternoon, directing people straight to the airport, according to the county. The western part of Maui experienced disruptions to phone service and electricity.

While the precise cause of the blaze remains unclear, it is believed to have been fueled by factors such as strong winds, low humidity, and arid vegetation. Climate change, leading to increased dryness of vegetation, was also considered to be contributing to the likelihood of extreme weather.

The ferocity of the wind-driven fire was evident as it raged through Lahaina’s town center, destroying intersections and wooden structures, some dating back to the 1700s.

Residents who managed to escape the fire described the scene as apocalyptic. Lahaina resident Keʻeaumoku Kapu recounted a narrow escape, describing how quickly the fire reached his building.

Three separate fires were raging across Maui, including Lahaina, south Maui’s Kihei area, and the mountainous Upcountry regions, according to the county’s spokesperson.

A Kula fire destroyed at least two homes on Tuesday, engulfing about 1.7 square miles, as stated by County of Maui Mayor Richard Bissen Jr.

While no injuries or losses were reported from three fires on Hawaii’s Big Island, roof fires were quickly extinguished.

Hurricane Dora, located 500 miles south of the island chain, was partially blamed for the gusts exceeding 60 mph that resulted in power failure and disturbances to firefighting efforts.

Coast Guard rescued 14 individuals, including two children, who had taken to the sea to escape the fire. Mayor Bissen expressed concern that the death toll might increase.

Several patients, some with critical burns, were transferred to various medical facilities on the islands of Oahu and Maui.

An emergency was declared by Acting Governor Luke, activating the Hawaii National Guard for assistance, as shelters were overcrowded and resources strained.

President Joe Biden promised federal support to Hawaii, involving the Coast Guard, Navy, and Marines in response and rescue operations, including the use of Black Hawk helicopters to combat the fires.

Though no exact count of evacuees was available, four shelters were housing 2,100 people, and the main airport in Maui sheltered 2,000 travelers affected by flight cancellations. Additionally, officials were readying the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu to accommodate up to 4,000 displaced individuals.

Expressions of sorrow and support came from various corners, including former President Barack Obama, who remarked on the difficult images emerging from the place so dear to many.

Local business owners and residents expressed heartbreak and uncertainty regarding the future as they reflected on what they had lost.

Lahaina, widely known as a tourist attraction, was mourned by locals for its strong Hawaiian community. A resident, Tiare Lawrence, stated with sorrow, “Everyone’s homes. Everyone’s lives have tragically changed in the last 12 hours.”

This report was amended to clarify that Bissen is the mayor of the County of Maui, not Lahaina specifically.

Reporting was contributed by Sinco Kelleher in Honolulu, Weber from Los Angeles, and Beatrice Dupuy in New York for Big Big News.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword Wildfire