Wildfires burning across Maui prompt evacuations

[Gefn]

live thread here. Really wild things.......

Here are the headlines....


911 services and communications are down as wildfires burn in Maui, official says


12 people in Maui County were rescued after they jumped into the ocean to escape wildfire dange



https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/maui-wildfires-08-09-23/index.html

[Cyber Liberty]

I wonder how much Maui Wowie gut burnt?

[bigheadfred]

I wonder how much Maui Wowie gut burnt?

A really high amount.

[cato potatoe]

It sounds like much of the town of Lahaina was incinerated in a firestorm, including a number of buildings from the 19th century. 

[LMAO]

I’ve been to Maui

Beautiful island, and the only island that it didn’t have rain when we were there

[mountaineer]

Susan Crabtree
@susancrabtree
Horrible news out of Maui: Six people have been confirmed dead after wildfires fueled by hurricane winds began burning in Maui overnight, destroying much of the popular tourist town Lahaina


 Maui Lahaina front street destroyed

https://twitter.com/justin_hart/status/1689388982449352707

[NavyCanDo]

So so sad. Been to Lahaina many times, Maui a favorite family vacation spot. Such a beautiful town.  It's all gone.   KIMO's having the best Prime Rib. , Burgers in Paradise was amazing, Bubbagumps, the Marina, the museum, Banyan Tree, all gone.

[mystery-ak]

Hawaii Fires: Death Toll Climbs to 36 as Flames Engulf Maui

Simon Kent 10 Aug 2023

The death toll in the wildfires ravaging Hawaii climbed to 36 late Wednesday evening, Maui County officials said.

The identities of those killed were not included in the brief statement which confirmed “firefighting efforts continue.”

As Breitbart News reported, earlier in the day the toll stood at six in a wildfire that has razed the resort town of Lahaina on the island of Maui, as desperate residents jumped into the ocean in a bid to escape the fast-moving flames.

Other residents and visitors raced to escape via available air routes.

U.S. Coast Guard officers plucked at least a dozen people from the water as emergency services were overwhelmed by a disaster that appeared to have erupted almost without warning and has burnt entire neighbourhoods to the ground.

The wildfires, driven by strong winds from Hurricane Dora passing far to the south, took the island of Maui by surprise, leaving behind burned-out cars on once busy streets and smoking piles of rubble where historic century-old buildings had once stood.

more
https://www.breitbart.com/environment/2023/08/10/hawaii-fires-death-toll-climbs-to-36-as-flames-engulf-maui/

[mystery-ak]

Shocking Video Shows Hawaii Residents Trying To Escape Fire

https://twitter.com/TheInsiderPaper/status/1689307064345165825

[Polly Ticks]

That's kind of terrifying.

[PeteS in CA]

A FB Friend lost a 94YO aunt because the bad air quality exacerbated her existing pulmonary problems. I don't mean this callously, but the town could be rebuilt. The people lost are gone, except in memories.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Any news on what started the fire?  I can't seem to find anything on this ---- other than climate change, of course.

[PeteS in CA]

The cause is said to be unknown. It is likely that many/most of the people and equipment who would investigate the cause are currently fighting the fire.

[catfish1957]

The fact that the entire city of Lahaina is lost is mind boggling.  This was the second largest city on the Island and the actual best tourist center.  Considering the logistics of rebuilding on an island?  It will take decades to recover.

[bigheadfred]

The Hawaiian language name Lā hainā means "cruel sun", describing the sunny dry climate.[3] Lahaina's historic district averages only 13 inches (330 mm) of rain per year, much of which occurs from December to February.

Wikipedia.

I read a Cyclone passing south may have contributed high winds and fire prone non native grasses provided fuel.  Maui has been suffering from drought. I am guessing the origin was man made, as opposed to lightning, and conditions caused it to go rapidly out of control.

[berdie]

What a frightening situation. I pray for these folks.

[mountaineer]

Stephen Lloyd
@apparentlysteve
BREAKING: Hawaii changes state flag to Ukrainian flag in hopes of getting disaster relief.
3:29 PM · Aug 10, 2023


Seriously, though, Hawaii is a Democrat state. They'll get the disaster relief denied "red" states.

[mystery-ak]

many photos here
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12394603/Lahaina-fire-damage-cause-officials-unsure-started-blaze.html

[Polly Ticks]

The fact that the entire city of Lahaina is lost is mind boggling.  This was the second largest city on the Island and the actual best tourist center.  Considering the logistics of rebuilding on an island?  It will take decades to recover.

Yes.  We were just there in December.  It's heart-breaking, how many people have lost their lives, their homes, and/or their livelihoods.

[mystery-ak]

Death toll update

[bigheadfred]

Death toll update

53

[NavyCanDo]

The family owned a condo on Kaanapali since the early 1980s, vacationing each year. Only selling it last year with the upkeep fees climbing too high for the family to hang on to.  The good times we had in Lahaina can't me measured.   Such a tragic loss.

[mystery-ak]

Hawaii Wildfires Death Toll Stands at 53, Expected to Rise ‘Very Significantly’

The death toll from the wildfires that have ravaged vast parts of the west coast of Hawaii’s Maui island over the past 48-hours stood at 53 late Thursday night. Authorities have warned the count is expected to rise.

https://www.breitbart.com/environment/2023/08/11/hawaii-wildfires-death-toll-stands-at-53-expected-to-rise-very-significantly/

[Maj. Bill Martin]

My daughter and her boyfriend - who had asked my blessing for a proposal - are still there.  They were safe but said it got pretty bad.

[Polly Ticks]

My daughter and her boyfriend - who had asked my blessing for a proposal - are still there.  They were safe but said it got pretty bad.

Prayers up for their continued safety, @Maj. Bill Martin
Are they vacationing, or do they live there?