Devastating wildfires have taken a tragic toll in the US state of Hawaii. Richard Bissen, the mayor of Maui County, said at least six people were killed in the fire on the island. The devastating fires have also affected Maui’s scenic west coast, which is popular with tourists.
About 20 people were injured and numerous buildings fell victim to the flames. The full extent of the damage remains unclear at this time as search and rescue operations are still underway.
Governor: “This is not a safe place!”
US President Joe Biden ordered the mobilization of federal funds. He has pledged government aid to the state of Hawaii. The National Guard and Navy are assisting the relief teams.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green called it a “terrible disaster”. Travel to Maui is not recommended. “This is not a safe place,” Deputy Governor Sylvia Luke warned. She wanted to keep tourists away with a declaration of emergency.
Eyewitnesses described apocalyptic scenes in the hardest hit coastal town of Lahaina, mostly a scenic tourist destination in western Maui.
According to Hawaii Governor Josh Green, the city was largely destroyed and people jumped into the sea to save themselves. The Coast Guard later said more than a dozen were rescued from the water, according to CNN.
Helicopter pilot Richard Olsten flew over the city on Wednesday. Most of the historic core has burned down. It looks like a war zone, like the area is being bombed, he described his impressions on CNN.
Due to strong gusts of wind, the flames could not initially be fought from the air on Tuesday. As of Wednesday, there were still fires in three places on Maui. Fires also raged on the neighboring island of Hawaii to the east, the largest island in the state of the same name.
Hurricane Dora, which is moving south of the US state islands, is partly responsible for the rapidly spreading fires, according to the authorities. Authorities had issued a “red flag” warning for the Hawaiian island chain due to the high risk of fire, favored by drought, high temperatures and high winds.
Source: Krone
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