Environment

Maui wildfires: 36 dead as Biden declares 'major disaster'

Thousands of people have been evacuated as authorities rush to tame fires on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Rescue efforts are ongoing as the flames have yet to be fully contained

Visuals from the Maui wildfires (photo: DW)
Visuals from the Maui wildfires (photo: DW)  

Intense wildfires on Hawaii's Maui island ravaged much of the historic city of Lahaina and killed at least 36 people, officials said Thursday, August 10.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

Dozens were left injured as they made desperate attempts to flee the flames and over 270 buildings were damaged or completely destroyed, officials said.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

The number of victims could rise, as rescuers reach parts of the island that have been cut off due to ongoing fires or obstructions.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

US President Joe Biden on Thursday declared the wildfire as a "major disaster," pledging federal funds for the devastated island of Maui.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

A White House statement said the federal aid dedicated to the disaster aims to "supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires."

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

Many historical sites were destroyed in the town in west Maui, officials said. Losses include buildings along Lahaina's historic Front Street and a giant Banyan tree that was imported to the island from India in 1873.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

Aerial video showed columns of smoke and haze raging in the 12,000-resident town of Lahaina, a top destination for tourists. Many of the hotels were badly damaged as well.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen had earlier in the day confirmed the deaths of six people before officials later increased the official death toll.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

"Much of Lahaina on Maui has been destroyed and hundreds of local families have been displaced," Hawaii Governor Josh Green said as he addressed the media.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

Ed Sniffen, Hawaii's state transportation director, said that 11,000 tourists flew out of Maui on Wednesday, with another 1,500 expected to leave Thursday.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

Rescue operations underway in Hawaii

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

Officials are yet to complete their assessment of damage and rescue workers are continuing the relief work in the US state.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

"We are still in a search-and-rescue mode and so I don't know what will happen to that number, " Bissen said.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

Power outages and disruptions in telephone services further aggravated the situation as they impeded evacuation efforts. Communication with the west side of Maui was only available via satellite, Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke said.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

The smoke and flames rising from the fire forced thousands to evacuate and some people to flee into the sea.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

The Coast Guard confirmed it had "successfully rescued 12 individuals from the waters off Lahaina" and it was sending more ships to Maui.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

Biden shared his condolences and in a statement said that he has ordered "all available Federal assets on the Islands to help with response."

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

What started the Maui fires?

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

The fires started Tuesday, and was exacerbated by a dry brush and heavy wind. The exact cause has yet to be pinpointed.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

Robert Watson, the former chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) told DW that climate change has raised the risk of wildfires around the planet.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

"We're seeing changes in precipitation patterns. We're seeing floods in some areas and droughts in others. What we see is a combination of droughts, meaning various forests are dry, they have a lot of fuel. And when you then start to get high temperatures and high winds, they're the perfect conditions," Watson said.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

"We've seen them in Canada. We've seen them in Greece. We're now seeing in Hawaii. These are the sorts of effects we're going to see in forests all around the world," he added.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Dora could be blamed for the rushing wind which fanned the flames.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

The storm was passing to the south of the island at a safe distance of 500 miles (805 kilometers).

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

Sylvia Luke, the state's lieutenant governor, said the fires have burned hundreds of acres and were being fanned by winds up to 80 miles per hour.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

Officials had issued a weather service wind advisory which was in effect until Thursday morning.

Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST

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Published: 11 Aug 2023, 9:28 AM IST