ClimateNewsLocals have likened the situation to an ‘apocalypse’ or a ‘war zone’
Wildfire roars through Hawaii’s historic Lahaina
Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planetGet our free Climate email
At least 36 people have died after wildfires devastated the historic town of Lahaina in Hawaii, officials have confirmed.
Fanned by winds from a faraway hurricane, multiple neighbourhoods were burnt to the ground and the western side of the island was nearly cut off.
With only one highway left open, thousands were told to evacuate as officials confirmed widespread devastation to Lahaina, its harbour and surrounding areas.
Once bustling with people, now the streets are populated with burnt-out cars. Adults and children were forced to dive into the ocean, seeking safety as flames ravaged through the night.
Flyovers conducted by the U.S. Civil Air Patrol and the Maui Fire Department reported that some 271 structures were damaged or destroyed, with locals likening the situation to an “apocalypse” or a “war zone.”
“We just had the worst disaster I’ve ever seen. All of Lahaina is burnt to a crisp. It’s like an apocalypse,” said Lahaina resident Mason Jarvi, who escaped from the city.
“It’s like an area was bombed. It’s like a war zone,” said helicopter pilot Richard Olsten told Hawaii News Now.
1691664004Southwest Airlines increases number of flights to HawaiiSouthwest Airlines said on Thursday it is increasing the number of flights to Hawaii in response to the Maui wildfires.
At least 36 people have died after wildfires, fanned by winds from a faraway hurricane, devastated much of the resort city Lahaina on Hawaii‘s Maui island, the Maui County said in a statement late on Wednesday.
Eleanor Noyce10 August 2023 11:40
1691663700President Joe Biden monitoring situationHawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, who is acting governor in Josh Green’s absence, told CNN that the state was facing an “unprecedented” natural disaster and called on the White House to declare a federal emergency to provide immediate support.
Maui hospitals have been overwhelmed with people suffering from burns and smoke inhalation, Ms Luke told CNN.
“We are already in communication with other hospital systems about relieving the burden — the reality is that we need to fly people out of Maui to give them burn support because Maui hospital cannot do extensive burn treatment,” she told the network.
“In addition to dealing with disaster, we’re dealing with major transportation issues as well.”
Satellite phones were the only way to contact the stricken town, she said.
“It’s impeding communication. It’s impeding efforts to evacuate residents and we are very concerned about that,” Ms Luke told CNN.
President Joe Biden was monitoring the situation, but is yet to declare a federal emergency, a White House official told CNN.
Hawaii’s National Guard has been activated and is assisting local emergency services, Hawaii’s adjutant general Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara posted on Facebook.
Erratic wind, challenging terrain, steep slopes and dropping humidity, are making it difficult to predict path and speed of a wildfire, Maui Fire Assistant Chief Jeff Giesea said in a statement.
GOES-18 fire temperature composite satellite image taken 6.30pm EDT on 9 August shows hot land surface temperatures in red on the Hawaii Islands
(AP)
Eleanor Noyce10 August 2023 11:35
16916628001,800 passengers trapped overnight at Maui’s Kahului AirportAt Maui’s Kahului Airport, 1,800 passengers were trapped overnight after dozens of flights were cancelled or delayed, according to the Hawaiian Department of Transportation.
Thousands of Maui residents remained without power on Wednesday, and 911 services are out indefinitely in the west of the island.
On Big Island, a wildfire has destroyed 1800 acres and is threatening 200 homes around the rural community of Kohala Ranch.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a disaster declaration to provide assistance, according to a release from the Hawaiian Governor’s office.
(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
Eleanor Noyce10 August 2023 11:20
1691661904How did the fire in Maui start?The cause of the wildfires in Maui has yet to be determined but the National Weather Service said the fires were fueled by a mix of dry vegetation, strong winds, and low humidity.
Officials said the winds from Hurricane Dora fanned the flames across the state. The storm was about 860 miles (1,380 km) southwest of Honolulu as of 11 a.m. local time (2100 GMT), the National Hurricane Center said.
The National Weather Service added that Hurricane Dora, which was passing to the south of the island chain, was partly to blame for the strong winds.
This combination of satellite images provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of Lahaina on Maui, Hawaii, on 25 June 2023, left, and an overview of the same area on 9 August
(AP)
Eleanor Noyce10 August 2023 11:05
1691661004More than 11,000 people flown out of Maui on WednesdayMore than 11,000 people were flown out of Maui on Wednesday, Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen confirmed.
The Hawaiian fires were whipped by strong winds from Hurricane Dora passing far to the south. It’s the latest in a series of disasters caused by extreme weather around the globe this summer. Experts say climate change is increasing the likelihood of such events.
As winds eased somewhat on Maui, some flights resumed Wednesday, allowing pilots to view the full scope of the devastation. Aerial video from Lahaina showed dozens of homes and businesses razed, including on Front Street, where tourists once gathered to shop and dine. Smoking heaps of rubble lay piled high next to the waterfront, boats in the harbour were scorched, and grey smoke hovered over the leafless skeletons of charred trees.
About 14,500 customers in Maui were without power early Wednesday. With cell service and phone lines down in some areas, many people were struggling to check in with friends and family members living near the wildfires. Some were posting messages on social media.
(Reuters)
Eleanor Noyce10 August 2023 10:50
1691660104‘The road to recovery will be long’, says governorAs Hawaii is ravaged by wildfires, a governor has said that the “road to recovery will be long.”
“These were small businesses that invested in Maui. These were local residents. We need to figure out a way to help a lot of people in the next several years”, Hawaii Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke said, CNN reports.
“It’s going to take years,” she added.
Passengers try to sleep on the floor of the airport terminal while waiting for delayed and cancelled flights off the island
(AFP via Getty Images)
Eleanor Noyce10 August 2023 10:35
1691659279Mapped: Where are the wildfires in Hawaii?The largest census-designated place in West Maui, the town of Lahaina – where the wildfires started – is home to the popular Kaanapali and Kapalua beach resorts. The 2020 census reported a population of 12,702.
The fires are the latest in a series of problems caused by extreme weather around the world this summer. Experts say climate change is increasing the likelihood of such events.
Wildfires are raging in three areas on the Hawaiian island of Maui
(Google Maps)
Eleanor Noyce10 August 2023 10:21
1691658619In pictures: Lahaina copes with devastation as multiple neighbourhoods burnt to the groundAt least 36 people have died after wildfires, fanned by winds from a faraway hurricane, devastated much of the resort city Lahaina on Hawaii‘s Maui island, the Maui County said in a statement late on Wednesday.
Multiple neighbourhoods were burnt to the ground as the western side of the island was nearly cut off, with only one highway open and thousands to evacuate as officials told of widespread devastation to Lahaina, its harbor and surrounding areas.
Some people fled into the ocean to escape the smoke and flames.
An aerial view shows damage along the coast of Lahaina in the aftermath of wildfires in Maui, Hawaii
(via REUTERS)
An aerial view as smoke rises from burnt areas amidst wildfires in Maui, Hawaii
(Vince Carter via REUTERS)
Only one highway was left open and thousands were forced to evacuate
(REUTERS)
A group of people talk to a police officer at a roadblock trying to get information and access to west Maui
(REUTERS)
Smoke rises from a wildfire near Pukalani, Hawaii
(REUTERS)
Eleanor Noyce10 August 2023 10:10
1691658000Some 25 public schools have been closed on MauiA third fire raging in the inland mountainous region of Kula is yet to be contained.
Dozens of residents were evacuated overnight from the area after brush fires were reported in the Olinda Rd, Auli’i Drive and Hanamu Rd areas.
The American Red Cross has set up emergency shelters at Kihei, Lahaina and Pukalani.
Some 25 public schools have been closed on Maui, with Maui High School being turned into an emergency shelter.
The County of Maui said at least 100 firefighters were tackling the separate blazes.
At least six deaths have been reported and at least two dozen people have been injured.
Bevan Hurley10 August 2023 10:00
1691657558Hawaii: Before and after satellite images show scale of ferocious wildfiresHomes and businesses flattened, scorched boats in the harbour and leafless skeletons of charred trees.
These satellite images show the sheer scale of destruction and devastation the wildfire in Hawaii has caused.
The wildfire tore through the heart of the Hawaiian island of Maui in darkness Wednesday, reducing much of a historic town to ash and forcing people to jump into the ocean to flee the flames. At least six people died and dozens were wounded.
Aerial video from coastal Lahaina also shows dozens of homes and businesses flattened, including on Front Street, a popular tourist spot.
Watch:
Hawaii: Before and after satellite images show scale of ferocious wildfiresHomes and businesses flattened, scorched boats in the harbor and leafless skeletons of charred trees. These satellite images show the sheer scale of destruction and devastation the wildfire in Hawaii has caused. The wildfire tore through the heart of the Hawaiian island of Maui in darkness Wednesday, reducing much of a historic town to ash and forcing people to jump into the ocean to flee the flames. At least six people died and dozens were wounded. Aerial video from coastal Lahaina also shows dozens of homes and businesses flattened, including on Front Street, a popular tourist spot.
Eleanor Noyce10 August 2023 09:52
