LAHAINA (HawaiiNewsNow) - Six people have been confirmed killed in the raging wildfires that have decimated entire Maui communities, but authorities feared that number could rise as flames are slowly beaten down and emergency responders are able to move in.
The fires are still active and out of control, which means a full picture of the devastation hasn’t yet come into view. But officials say at least 20 people sustained serious injuries, thousands of people are displaced, and the county’s emergency response is near a breaking point.
Richard Olsten, a helicopter pilot who flew over Lahaina town on Wednesday morning, said much of the historic town appears gone. “It’s like an area was bombed. It’s like a war zone,” he said.
Here’s the latest:
- Maui County says three active wildfires continue to burn with more than 100 firefighters trying to battle the flames. Firefighters weren’t able to use helicopters to douse the flames Tuesday because of the high winds, but helicopters have gone up Wednesday.
- More than 2,100 people were housed overnight at the county’s four emergency shelters: Maui Preparatory Academy in Napili, Maui High School in Kahului, War Memorial Center and Hannibal Tavares Community Center in Pukalani.
- Authorities confirmed at least 20 people suffered serious burns in the wildfires and several were airlifted to Oahu. Three are in critical condition at the Straub Medical Center burn unit.
- The state plans to fly 4,000 tourists out of Maui on Wednesday to Oahu, multiple sources confirm to Hawaii News Now. They will be put up at the Hawaii Convention Center. Authorities said at least 2,000 people were waiting at Kahului’s airport.
- Gov. Josh Green, who is off island on personal travel but returning, said fatalities are feared but not confirmed. “The scope of the fire is enormous,” he said. “We are going to be digging out of this fire.”
- Many flights into Maui from the mainland have been canceled. Travelers are being urged to check with their carrier before going to the airport.
- At least 14 people had to be rescued from waters off Lahaina on Tuesday night after jumping into the water to escape the raging wildfire, authorities confirmed. Among them: Two young children who were reunited with family.
Gov. Josh Green discusses the latest on the raging wildfires on Maui.
Eyewitnesses described an apocalyptic scene Tuesday in Lahaina town, where residents were forced to jump into the harbor waters to avoid fast-moving flames from a massive brush fire that’s destroyed much of the historic area — and continues to burn.
Residents say an overwhelmed fire force — fighting flames all day amid powerful winds — could do little as flames ripped through the historic community, destroying dozens of homes and businesses in what onlookers believe is the worst natural disaster in Hawaii’s history since Hurricane Iniki.
Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke confirmed that the Hawaii National Guard had been activated to help respond to the sprawling fire crisis, which also includes other raging wildfires. The flames have forced thousands to their homes, and many aren’t sure what they’ll find when they return.
Due to the severe situation, Luke has extended the emergency proclamation to all counties. Non-essential air travel is being discouraged to Maui and all state agencies are being ordered to assist with the evacuation.
Honolulu Emergency Medical Services Director Jim Ireland confirmed that patients on Maui are being airlifted to Oahu.
He said a critical burn victim was transferred from an ambulance at Honolulu airport overnight to Straub Medical Center, which is the only burn center in the state.
As of Wednesday morning, Ireland said at least eight patients have been transferred to Oahu — three of whom were transported in critical condition. He noted that not all patients are burn victims.
“It’s been very heartbreaking for all of us and frustrating because if we weren’t an island we would drive over and help them from Honolulu, but being that we are separated we’re trying to support them in anyway we can,” Ireland said.
“We have put Straub on Oahu in divert status so they focus on those incoming patients from Maui and aren’t getting more patients on Oahu. So, Kuakini and Queens in town have had to step up and accept the disproportionate share of Oahu patients.”
Officials confirmed to Hawaii News Now that the Coast Guard deployed a helicopter and boat to Front Street Beach and the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor to rescue a number of people from the water.
About 10:50 p.m., the Coast Guard said it had rescued a dozen people from waters off Lahaina.
The full scope of the devastation in Lahaina isn’t known, but videos on social media show a terrifying wall of flames descending on Front Street in Lahaina and destroying everything in its path. One heart-stopping video posted by fleeing residents shows uncontrolled flames in all directions.
The video also shows burned out cars, but there was no immediate word on injuries.
Lahaina resident Tiare Lawrence compared the scene to something out of the apocalypse, with people running for their lives.
“It’s just so hard. I’m currently Upcountry and just knowing I can’t get a hold of any of my family members. I still don’t know where my little brother is. I don’t know where my stepdad is,” she said.
“Everyone I know in Lahaina, their homes have burned down.”
Front Street business owner Alan Dickar says he watched business after business in the historic district going up in flames.
“Buildings on both sides were engulfed. There were no fire trucks at that point; I think the fire department was overwhelmed,” Dickar said. “That is the most important business street on Maui.”
A Maui County spokesperson confirmed there were “multiple” structure fires in addition to “extensive evacuations” in the Lahaina area, but authorities said they were unlikely to ascertain the full extent until well into Wednesday — when winds are expected to die down.
The county also said it wasn’t immediately clear just how many people jumped into the water off Lahaina to avoid smoke and flames, though they indicated rescue operations were ongoing.
“The Coast Guard has been responding to impacted areas where residents are entering the ocean due to smoke and fire conditions,” the county said, in a news release about 10 p.m. Tuesday.
“Individuals were transported by the Coast Guard to safe areas.”
The brush fire in Lahaina is one of at least seven sizable wildfires that firefighters are battling statewide amid treacherous conditions — powerful winds, low humidity and dry brush.
CONTINUING COVERAGE:
- More than 30 downed power poles reported on Maui; thousands without power
- PHOTOS: Powerful winds knock down trees and utility poles, fuel brush fires
- LIST: All Maui public schools, with the exception of one, closed Wednesday
And while the Lahaina fire appears by fire to have wrought the most devastation, widespread damage is also being reported in Kihei and Kula, where evacuation orders also remain in place.
Another concern for first responders is the thick smoke blanketing parts of Maui.
Earlier in the day, officials confirmed that a firefighter in West Maui suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center in stable condition.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) regional administrator authorized the use of federal funds on Wednesday to assist the state in combatting the Lahaina fire.
Meanwhile, some groups are working to gather donations to help those impacted by the wildfires. Click here for details.
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