Maui and other parts of the North American Hawaiian archipelago are being devastated by wind-fueled fires from a distant hurricane. This Wednesday, the rapid advance of the flames prompted residents to jump into the waters of the Pacific Ocean to escape the fire that has been raging since the beginning of the week.
According to a statement from Maui County, these people were later rescued by the US Coast Guard and are now safe. The American Red Cross converted the island’s high school into an evacuation shelter.
There are no official figures for human losses and material damage yet. However, some residents have shared videos and photos on social networks showing the panic spreading in the archipelago.
Hawaii is burning
A wildfire near Lahaina on the island of Maui is being driven by winds of 60 mph toward populated areas. pic.twitter.com/3QzTXqgwvY
—Citizen Free Press (CitizenFreePres) August 9, 2023
The scenario of hell in Hawaii joins others, this summer, wildfires fanned by excessive heat, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people in European countries such as Portugal, Greece and Spain, but also in Canada and the United States.
Scientists believe that climate change – driven by the use of Fossil fuels – The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as these fires are increasing. Experts called on governments to drastically reduce emissions of harmful gases to avoid a climate catastrophe.
Lahaina, a town of 13,000 residents on Maui, is the hardest hit by the fires in Hawaii. Alan Dekar, a local businessman, told the Honolulu Star Advertiser that he feared he had lost three of his possessions. “Front Street is the only place Maui people visit,” he told the newspaper, calling the two pivotal blocks of the street the “economic heart” of the island. “I don’t know what’s left,” he added.
On Maui, fires have also destroyed parts of Kula, a residential area in the interior highlands of the island.
Authorities say winds from Hurricane Dora, which has already moved away from Hawaii, are responsible for the rapid spread of fires in the archipelago. However, all of the Hawaiian Islands remain on alert for strong winds that may approach 100 km/h.
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