Crews are continuing to battle a series of deadly wildfires that have left at least 36 people dead and dozens injured on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Satellite images captured on Wednesday show the extent of the devastation caused by the massive blazes, which broke out and spread rapidly earlier in the week. The fires were fueled by strong winds generated by Hurricane Dora, a Category 4 hurricane traveling across the Pacific, and dry conditions on the land. The National Weather Service stated that the exact cause of the fires is still unknown.
The town of Lahaina, a popular tourist destination and commercial hub with a long and rich cultural history, was hit particularly hard by the fires. Aerial video footage and satellite images captured by Maxar Technologies offer a harrowing look at the destruction. Images of Lahaina taken before the blaze and on Wednesday show the once lush area badly burned, with the harbor and building rooftops visibly charred.
People were forced to dive into the water at Lahaina Harbor while trying to escape the smoke and encroaching flames on Tuesday. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that they rescued 14 people from the harbor, all of whom are reported to be in stable condition. As wind and heavy smoke began to lessen on Wednesday afternoon, flyovers conducted by the U.S. Civil Air Patrol and the Maui Fire Department revealed that over 271 structures were damaged in the widespread damage in West Maui.
One resident of Lahaina, Kekoa Lansford, described the destruction as a “nationwide issue.” He emphasized the need for assistance and funding to help repair and restore the damaged homes and businesses in the affected areas. The wildfires also destroyed communities in Maui’s Upcountry region and spread along the island’s southwestern coast near Kihei.
The wildfires have prompted thousands of evacuations and have forced travelers to seek shelter at the Kahului Airport. The State Department of Education is preparing for the potential loss of an elementary school in Lahaina that has been in existence for over a century. Hawaiian Airlines stated that they are continuing to operate flights into and out of Maui’s Kahului Airport to support essential travel and assist in transporting first responders, equipment, and supplies to Maui.
Maui Memorial Medical Center has been treating patients since Tuesday night for burns, smoke inhalation, and other fire-related injuries resulting from the blazes. As of Wednesday afternoon, all patients have been cared for, with five being admitted, including two in critical condition. Additionally, seven patients have been transferred to Oahu for specialized services. Maui officials are expected to provide an update on their response to the wildfires on Thursday morning.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.