Several neighborhoods were burned as the west side of the island, including the tourist resort of Lahaina, was nearly cut off with only one freeway open as officials reported widespread devastation that it was still too early to quantify.
“We just had the worst disaster I’ve ever seen. All of Lahaina is burnt to ashes. It’s like an apocalypse,” said Lahaina resident Mason Jarvi, who escaped from the city.
Jarvi showed Reuters photos he took of the ashen-colored destruction along the Lahaina waterfront. Wearing shorts, he also showed blisters on his thigh which he said he suffered while riding through the flames on his e-bike to save his dog.
While firefighters were still battling three major blazes, West Maui was closed to all but rescuers and evacuees.
At least 4,000 tourists were still trying to leave West Maui, said Ed Sniffen of the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Although at least 16 routes were closed, Maui’s airport was still operating fully and airlines were lowering fares and offering waivers to get people off the island, Sniffen said.
Panicked evacuees posted images on social media showing clouds of smoke rising over once idyllic beaches and palm trees.
“I was the last to leave the wharf when the firestorm swept through the banyan trees and took everything with it. charter boat company that offers two-hour excursions. He spoke from Kahului Airport, normally a 25-minute drive east of Lahaina.
Some people were forced to jump into the Pacific Ocean to escape the smoke and fire conditions, prompting the US Coast Guard to rescue them, according to a Maui County news release.
Officials said they were reviewing witness reports of people being trapped in their cars.
“Our primary focus now is to save lives, prevent human suffering and mitigate property loss,” Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said at a press briefing.
Bissen had few details on the deaths, saying he had just been informed of the number before the briefing began.
“Everything is fluid and dynamic. They’re doing search and rescue as we speak,” National Guard Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara said, urging tourists to leave Maui, adding they could seek refuge in a convention center in Honolulu, on the island of Oahu.
Evacuation efforts were complicated by power outages and disruptions in cell phone service, as communication with Maui’s west side was only available via satellite, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke said.
“We have shelters that are overwhelmed. We have resources that are taxed,” Luke said. The state has opened at least five evacuation shelters, she added.
The situation in Hawaii recalled scenes of devastation elsewhere in the world this summer, as wildfires caused by record heat forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people in Greece, Spain, Portugal and other parts of the world. Other parts of Europe, and western Canada suffered in unusual ways. violent fires.
Human-induced climate change, driven by the use of fossil fuels, is increasing the frequency and intensity of these extreme weather events, scientists say, after long warning that government officials must cut emissions to avoid a climate disaster.
The White House released a message of condolence from President Joe Biden, who praised the work of the firefighters and ordered “all federal assets available on the islands to assist in the response.”
In addition to the Hawaiian National Guard, the US Coast Guard and Navy Third Fleets were assisting search and rescue efforts on Maui and US Marines were sending helicopters to the Big Island, while the US Department of Transportation was assisting efforts. evacuation, Biden said.
The cause on 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. According to the University of Hawaii, large fires occur almost every year in parts of the Hawaiian archipelago, although the scale of these fires is unusual.
By Tuesday evening, hundreds of acres had already burned and roads and schools had closed in parts of Hawaii and Maui counties, according to an emergency proclamation issued by Luke. Hawaii County encompasses the Big Island, located south of Maui.
Officials said winds from Hurricane Dora fanned the flames across the state. The storm was about 860 miles (1,380 km) southwest of Honolulu at 11 a.m. local time (2100 GMT), the National Hurricane Center said.
The worst of the high winds are expected to end Wednesday evening or early Thursday, said Ian Martin, an NWS forecaster in Honolulu.
