HONOLULU (AP) — Wildfires in Hawaii were fueled by strong winds and caused significant damage to structures in historic Lahaina town. Evacuations were ordered and schools were closed in multiple communities on Wednesday. In a dramatic rescue operation, the U.S. Coast Guard saved twelve individuals who had sought refuge from smoke and flames in the ocean.
The County of Maui reported that multiple roads in Lahaina, including the popular tourist area of Front Street, were closed due to the widespread fires. Traffic congestion was intense as people tried to evacuate the area. Residents who were not in evacuation zones were instructed to shelter in place to alleviate congestion. The National Weather Service attributed the strong winds gusting above 60 mph to the outskirts of Hurricane Dora, passing about 500 miles away from Hawaii. These hazardous fire conditions, combined with low humidity, were expected to persist until Wednesday afternoon.
Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke issued an emergency proclamation on behalf of Gov. Josh Green, who is currently traveling, and called on the Hawaii National Guard for assistance. As of now, there have been no reported fatalities, and only one firefighter sustained smoke inhalation and is in stable condition at a hospital. The exact number of affected structures and evacuees is unknown, but four shelters have been opened, accommodating over 1,000 people.
Maui County spokesperson, Mahina Martin, described the situation as unprecedented, with multiple districts impacted by the fires. The darkness of the night hindered the assessment of the full extent of damage. Authorities expressed relief for the arrival of daylight to aid their efforts.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved a disaster declaration in response to a fire threatening around 200 homes in and around Kohala Ranch on the Big Island. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency stated that the fire had burned over 600 acres and was not yet contained. Additionally, two other uncontrolled fires were reported on the Big Island and Maui.
The fires in Maui were concentrated in two areas: West Maui, a popular tourist destination, and an inland, mountainous region. In West Maui, 911 services were unavailable, and residents were instructed to contact the police department. Helicopters were unable to conduct water drops due to the gusty winds, impeding accurate assessments of fire sizes. Firefighters faced blocked roads caused by fallen trees and power lines while battling the inland fires.
Early Wednesday, approximately 14,500 customers in Maui were without power. The challenging conditions of multiple fires and evacuations in various districts created significant difficulties for the island. Strong winds intensified throughout the day, reaching 80 mph in inland Maui. Fires that had been contained earlier re-ignited due to these gusts.
In Kula, Maui, two homes were destroyed in a fire that encompassed 1.7 square miles. Mayor Richard Bissen confirmed the evacuation of approximately 80 people from 40 homes. On the Big Island, Mayor Mitch Roth oversaw the evacuation of around 400 homes in four communities in the northern part of the island. One house’s roof caught fire, but no other significant damage has been reported.
Unlike wildfires in the U.S. West, fires in Hawaii typically occur in large grasslands located on the dry sides of the islands and are generally smaller in scale. The introduction of fires by humans has had devastating effects on the environment. Native ecosystems in Hawaii did not evolve to cope with fires, leading to environmental damages such as vegetation loss and soil erosion, which detrimentally impact coral reefs when carried into the ocean.
A major fire on the Big Island in 2021 resulted in the destruction of homes and the evacuation of thousands of residents. Oahu, which includes Honolulu, also experienced power outages, downed power lines, and traffic disruptions, according to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.