Wildfire disaster in Hawaii

The wildfires broke out unexpectedly before dawn and raged until the afternoon of August 9 (local time) on Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii, amidst strong winds from Hurricane Dora in the distance, which intensified the flames. In addition to 36 deaths and dozens injured, at least 271 structures were destroyed or damaged, according to officials in Hawaii.

Apocalyptic scene

Cutting short his vacation to return to respond to the disaster, Hawaii Governor Josh Green said yesterday that much of the town of Lahaina on Maui has been destroyed and hundreds of local families have been evacuated. He plans to send a request for a disaster declaration to US President Joe Biden after a preliminary assessment of the damage, possibly in the next day or two, according to CNN.

Satellite imagery from August 9th shows a fire-ravaged area in Lahaina.

The exact cause of the wildfire has not yet been determined, but several factors, including strong winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation, may have contributed to the disaster, according to General Kenneth Hara of the Hawaii State Defence Agency. The Guardian reported that the fire appears to have started by burning vegetation and then quickly spread to residential areas, fueled by winds reaching speeds of up to 100 km/h. The fire then spread to Lahaina, burning down wooden buildings in the town center, which dates back to the 1700s and is a U.S. National Historic Site.

Aerial video shows dozens of homes and businesses in Lahaina destroyed by fire, including structures on the popular Front Street. According to Maxar satellite imagery, numerous historic sites in Lahaina were burned to the ground, including one of the largest banyan trees in the United States, brought from India in 1873. "We've just experienced the worst disaster I've ever seen. The whole of Lahaina is burned to ashes. It's like the end of the world," The Guardian quoted a Lahaina resident named Mason Jarvi as saying.

"Paradise" is closing down.

Reuters, citing Hawaii's transportation authority, reported that more than 11,000 tourists were evacuated from Maui on August 9th. Although at least 16 roads were closed, Maui Airport remained operational, and airlines reduced fares in an effort to get tourists off the island. Approximately 1,500 people were expected to fly from Maui Airport on August 10th. US military helicopters were deployed to control the blaze. The US Coast Guard was dispatched to Lahaina to rescue those who jumped into the sea to escape. Twelve people were rescued and brought aboard a Coast Guard boat.

While the aftermath of the wildfires could take years, Governor Green announced that Maui County currently lacks the facilities for displaced residents to live in long-term. He also urged tourists to stay away from Maui at this time, as many hotels and other accommodations need to be repurposed for temporary housing. "We will welcome visitors back to this paradise once the wildfires are over and once we can rebuild," Green told CNN.

Summer wildfires

The situation in Hawaii mirrors the devastation seen elsewhere in the world this summer. Wildfires fueled by record-breaking heat have forced tens of thousands to evacuate in Greece, Spain, Portugal, and other parts of Europe, while western Canada has seen unusually severe fires. Scientists say human-induced climate change, driven by the use of fossil fuels, is increasing the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events.

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