At least 36 individuals have lost their lives, and more than 11,000 have been forced to flee their homes in Hawaii, fleeing the wildfires that are raging on the island of Maui and have already razed parts of the historic city of Lahaina. The fire, listed as the deadliest in recent years in the United States, took the island by surprise, fanned by the intense winds from Hurricane Dora.
The resulting devastation has left charred cars on the streets and smoking piles of rubble in areas that used to house historic buildings in Lahaina Town, a town dating back to the 18th century that has long been a top tourist destination. Firefighters struggled to contain the flames at various points on the island on Wednesday as numerous individuals jumped into the ocean in an attempt to escape.
As of Wednesday night, Maui County had confirmed at least 36 deaths, though it provided few additional details. Authorities had previously reported that 271 buildings were damaged or destroyed, and numerous people were injured.
Lahaina residents Kamuela Kawaakoa and Iiulia Yasso recounted a harrowing flight under smoky skies Tuesday afternoon. After a quick trip to the supermarket to buy water, the couple and their 6-year-old son returned home only to change their clothes and flee when nearby bushes caught fire.
Satellite images have captured what the city of Lahaina in Hawaii was like before and after the wildfire.
Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen Jr. said the island has been tested like never before. As the fires raged, he advised tourists to stay away. About 11,000 visitors left Maui by plane Wednesday, and at least another 1,500 are expected to leave Maui Thursday, according to Ed Sniffen, the state’s director of transportation. The Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu was prepared to accommodate the thousands of displaced people.
The fires were fanned by strong winds from Hurricane Dora, which passed some 500 kilometers south of the island. These incidents are the latest in a series of disasters caused by extreme weather conditions around the world this summer. Experts point out that the climate crisis increases the probability of events of this type. As the winds eased on Maui, some flights resumed Wednesday, allowing pilots to see the devastation in its entirety. Aerial images of Lahaina could be seen showing dozens of flattened homes and businesses, including on Front Street, a popular tourist shopping and dining spot. Smoldering piles of rubble lay along the waterfront; the ships in the harbor were charred, and gray smoke shrouded the charred remains of the trees.
President Joe Biden ordered a coordinated response among all available federal agencies. The Hawaii National Guard mobilized helicopters to assist with firefighting and search and rescue efforts. Former President Barack Obama, a native of Hawaii, shared on social networks his regret for the shocking images that came from such a special place for many.