In the serene paradise of Maui, where crystal-clear waters and lush landscapes once painted a picture of tranquility, recent catastrophic wildfires have turned the place into ashes.
There have been raging fires across Hawaii’s Big Island and Maui. As per the reports, Lahaina, which was a tourist attraction, was completely demolished by wildfire.
On Tuesday, a large fire broke out on the Hawaiian island of Maui, destroying much of a historic town and forcing residents out of the island. According to a statement released by Maui County on Wednesday night, at least 36 people died in the fires.
The fires spread rapidly due to a combination of dry conditions, strong winds, and other environmental factors, making it a formidable challenge for firefighting teams to control the flames.
Lahaina, a town beloved for its historical significance and well-liked by tourists, turned into the center of a raging inferno. Maui’s surface area totals 727.2 square miles. A significant part of the island is still burning. The wildfires were fanned by winds from a far-off hurricane, Dora. Some locals jumped into the ocean throughout the night to escape the raging fires and billowing smoke. This catastrophe ranks among the deadliest recent US wildfires.
How Did the Fire Start in Maui?
Maui is known for its picturesque scenery and exotic landscape. With more than 2 million visitors annually, it is a well-known tourist destination in the United States. A few days ago, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency raised a “Red Flag Warning” and “High Wind Advisory.”
It is assumed that the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires on Maui are attributed to climate change. Rising temperatures and prolonged droughts create favorable conditions for fires to ignite and spread.
Apparently, lightning strikes, coupled with the island’s dry vegetation, create favorable conditions for fires to ignite. Human activities such as discarded cigarette butts, unattended campfires, and even power line failures can trigger catastrophic blazes.
However, no official statement has been released revealing the exact reason behind the wildfire.
During the Wednesday briefing, Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara, commander general of the Hawaii Army National Guard, said:
We don’t know what actually ignited the fires, but we were made aware in advance by the National Weather Service that we were in a red flag situation — so that’s dry conditions for a long time, so the fuel, the trees, and everything, was dry.
Sylvia Luke, the acting governor of Hawaii, declared an emergency on Tuesday, approving the use of National Guard forces, and she continued the declaration on Wednesday. Luke suggested avoiding air travel to Maui.
All available Federal resources were directed to assist Hawaii by President Joe Biden. The Marines are supplying Black Hawk helicopters to fight the fires, the president said, while the Coast Guard and Navy are supporting response and rescue efforts.
Tragic Fires Devour People’s Lives
The wildfire has had a devastating effect, with nearly 36 fatalities and numerous injuries. Those who managed to flee had terrifying experiences, recalling the disorganized scenes as they made their way through roads flanked by flames.
As Lahaina Harbor was consumed by the fire, authorities and the Coast Guard launched rescue operations in response to the escalating emergency. They pulled stranded people from the water.
Local and federal authorities have mobilized resources for search and rescue, fire suppression, and other disaster-related operations as a result of the disaster.
1 Comment
This is not due to climate change, that is ridiculous. A fire starts with a spark and a flame. Google DEW. And then the after math will be that the locals will be put into low cost housing and the corps and developers will take the empty land and build destination resorts and high price housing with views of the ocean and right on the coast lines. Never mind climate change raising the tides. None of the power elite who recently built mansions at the waters edge, are concerned about climate change. Because, they know it’s a farce.