Residents of a Hawaiian village have reportedly been forced to jump into the water to escape flames as ferocious wildfires or call it as Maui Fire rage over Maui.
Strong winds in Hawaii have exacerbated wildfires, causing destruction in areas including the historic town of Lahaina. The fires have led to evacuations, school closures, and daring ocean rescues as individuals leaped into the water to escape the smoke and flames.
Maui county reported that the US Coast Guard responded to those seeking refuge in the ocean to escape the fire and smoke. A total of 12 people were rescued from the waters off Lahaina. Meanwhile, a firefighter battling the West Maui fire was hospitalized due to smoke inhalation but is now in stable condition.
Lahaina, a tourist hotspot affected by Maui Fire
It was heavily affected by the spreading fires, including Front Street, a popular area for visitors. Traffic congestion ensued as evacuation efforts took place, prompting officials to advise those not in evacuation zones to stay put and avoid worsening traffic conditions.
Hurricane Dora, although safely distant from the island chain, played a role in winds surpassing 60mph, which knocked out power and hindered firefighting efforts. The National Weather Service attributed these gusts to the hurricane, creating challenging conditions for firefighters.
Emergency measures were taken, with the acting governor issuing an emergency proclamation and activating the national guard. Firefighters tackled blazes concentrated in West Maui and mountainous regions, but the exact extent of property damage remained uncertain due to challenging conditions.
Maui Fire affected around 13,000 people for Power outages
while dryness and strong winds elevated the fire risk. The fires were not a direct result of Hurricane Dora, but the hurricane indirectly contributed to the hazardous conditions.
In Maui’s Kula area, at least two homes were lost to a fire that consumed around 1,100 acres. On the Big Island, evacuations were conducted in the face of another blaze threatening hundreds of homes.
Unlike fires on the mainland US, Hawaiian fires usually emerge in grasslands on the dry sides of islands and are generally smaller in scale. Fire occurrences were infrequent in Hawaii prior to human arrival, making their environmental impact more severe. Erosion caused by fire and subsequent rainfall can damage ecosystems and coral reefs.
The Lahaina wildfire was just one among several blazes in Hawaii, all fueled by powerful winds, resulting in the destruction of numerous structures. These fires led to evacuations and power disruptions in various communities, with firefighters facing challenges in accessing certain areas due to fallen trees and power lines. Some individuals encountered difficulties while attempting to evacuate due to traffic congestion, smoke, and the advancing flames.
The influence of Hurricane Dora, situated hundreds of miles away and safely south of the island chain, played a role in exacerbating the situation. Wind gusts reaching up to 80 mph were attributed to the hurricane, causing widespread power outages, unsettling homes, and preventing firefighting helicopters from taking to the air as darkness descended.
Governor reaction on Maui Fire
While Governor Josh Green was away on travel, Acting Governor Sylvia Luke took action by issuing an emergency proclamation and activating the Hawaii National Guard in response to the wildfire crisis.
The Honolulu office of the weather service announced the extension of a Red Flag Warning for all of Hawaii’s islands until 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday. This extension was attributed to the continued high risk of wildfires due to factors like low humidity, strong winds, and dry vegetation.
Firefighting teams on Maui were engaged in combatting multiple fires, focusing their efforts on two main areas: West Maui, a popular tourist destination, and an inland region characterized by mountains. The extent of the structural damage caused by the fires remained uncertain as of late Tuesday, according to Mahina Martin, a spokesperson for the County of Maui.
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