Wildfires in Hawaii − fueled in part by strong winds from a passing hurricane − have forced hundreds of evacuations, caused thousands to lose power, destroyed homes and even sent some residents fleeing into the ocean to escape the flames.
Firefighters on the island of Maui were battling blazes in Lahaina, a popular tourist destination in West Maui, and Upcountry, an inland, mountainous region. Maui county officials said multiple structures have burned and multiple evacuation orders are in place as emergency crews battle brush and structure fires in both areas.
Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke and Maui Mayor Richard Bissen have issued emergency proclamations in response to the fire. The Hawaii National Guard has been activated.
The National Weather Service said Hurricane Dora, which was passing 500 miles south of the island chain, and a very strong high pressure north of the state produced strong, damaging winds through the overnight hours.
“These strong winds coupled with low humidity levels are producing dangerous fire weather conditions that will last through Wednesday afternoon,” the weather service said Wednesday.
Homes destroyed, residents evacuated
The Coast Guard has been responding to areas where residents are “entering the ocean due to smoke and fire conditions,” county officials said. A Coast Guard boat rescued 12 people from the waters off Lahaina, officials said on X, formerly Twitter.
Front Street business owner Alan Dickar told CBS News buildings on both sides of the street were engulfed in flames. Dickar said it appeared the fire department was overwhelmed. In West Maui, 911 service is no longer available.
“Maui can’t handle this,” Dickar said. “A lot of people just lost their jobs because a lot of businesses burned. A lot of people lost their homes. … This is going to be devastating for Maui.”
In the Kula area of Maui, at least two homes were destroyed in a fire that engulfed about 1,100 acres, Bissen told the Associated Press. About 80 people were evacuated from 40 homes, he said.
“We’re trying to protect homes in the community,” Big Island Mayor Mitch Roth said of evacuating about 400 homes in four communities in the northern part of the island. As of Tuesday, the roof of one house caught on fire, he said.
The Red Cross has opened several emergency shelters for residents. One firefighter experienced smoke inhalation while responding to the West Maui fire and was taken to a local hospital where he is in stable condition.
Wildfire smoke map:See where fires are burning in Hawaii and across the US
Thousands without electricity as downed power lines close roads
More than 14,000 customers in Maui county were without power, according to Poweroutage.us. County officials advised residents to stay at least 30 feet from downed power lines, which at one point restricted travel along parts of Honoapiilani Highway. Part of the highway was reopened Tuesday evening to allow access in and out of Lahaina, but motorists were told to expect traffic to move slowly through the bypass.
The island of Oahu, where Honolulu is located, also was dealing with power outages, downed power lines and traffic problems, said Adam Weintraub, communication director for Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.
Strong winds are fueling the flames
In inland Maui, winds were recorded at 80 mph and one fire that was believed to be contained earlier Tuesday flared up hours later with the big gusts, County of Maui spokesperson Mahina Martin told the Associated Press.
Because of the wind gusts, helicopters weren’t able to dump water on the fires from the sky — or gauge more precise fire sizes — and firefighters were encountering roads blocked by downed trees and power lines as they worked the inland fires, Martin said.
A high wind warning and red flag warning for dangerous fire weather issued by the National Weather Service in Honolulu are expected to remain in effect through Wednesday.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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