Maui Officials say In Hawaii’s Maui County, 36 people have died as wildfires rage.
The Dilect Observes: A fast-moving wildfire that is causing havoc throughout Hawaii has claimed 36 lives, Maui County officials announced Wednesday night. In Maui, giant fires have engulfed the island, trapping locals and tourists. On the Big Island, fires have also been ignited by strong winds associated with Hurricane Dora.
Lahaina, in Maui County, was devastated by the fires that destroyed its historic, popular vacation town. Sylvia Luke (D) said the town was “decimated” and “forever changed.”
Satellite photographs show the destruction of an entire community
— with charred remains of hundreds of homes. In a video shared early Thursday. Luke said rescue teams were “working tirelessly to ensure the health and safety of every person affected.”
The Hawaii National Guard has been activated, and helicopters are searching for people left behind in areas without electricity and roads. Officials said the immediate priority was to save lives, adding it was too early to determine the extent of the damage.
Governor Josh Green (D) said hundreds of families have been displaced on Maui. Mass evacuations, power outages, and school closures were all caused by the fires.
As per officials Maui County officials said the three active wildfires did not have containment numbers as of Wednesday night, but a better idea would be available “at first light” on Thursday.
U.S. Coast Guard crews rescued 14 people from waters off Lahaina after flames forced them into the sea. In photos shared by the fire department, flames illuminated the billowing plumes of smoke as the fire burned up to the waterfront.
The above satellite image provided by Maxar shows the historic Lahaina area before wildfires, and in a subsequent image, captures the same area after wildfires engulfed large areas of Maui Island on Aug. 9, 2023.
