Maui wildfires continue to decimate

(August 10, 2023) – The rescue efforts are continuing after the death toll from the fast-moving wildfires wreaking havoc through Hawaii increased to 53, Maui County officials said. Blazes have been raging across Maui and have also been reported on the island of Hawaii, trapping locals and visitors as strong winds linked to Hurricane Dora continue to hamper efforts by authorities to contain the flames.

The fires tore through the historic, popular vacation town of Lahaina, in Maui County, which Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke said was decimated and forever changed. On it’s Instagram page, Lahaina Yacht Club posted the message, “Thank you to everyone who has reached out with thoughts and prayers. The LYC clubhouse may be gone, but it is the community that matters.”

Tourists have been warned to avoid traveling to the hard-hit island. More than 271 structures in Lahaina have been damaged so far, according to Maui officials. U.S. Civil Air Patrol and the Maui Fire Department conducted flyovers of the area, revealing widespread destruction to the West Maui town, the harbor and surrounding areas.

As of this morning, the Lahaina fire was 80 percent contained, county officials said. President Biden declared a major disaster in Hawaii and ordered federal aid to areas affected by wildfires, according to the White House. A second fire on Maui was 70 percent contained, officials added, and a third fire is pending further assessment.

The gusty winds that have been fueling fires on Maui and the Big Island are gradually relaxing. In its morning forecast discussion today, the National Weather Service office in Honolulu, which serves all of Hawaii, wrote that this morning’s winds were moderate to locally breezy, but noticeably much weaker than the last two days and the down trend in wind speeds should continue.

Editor’s note: This video from yesterday says so much: https://twitter.com/WxNB_/status/1689384898958917633

Source: Washington Post