Destructive wildfires wreak havoc on Maui Island, Hawaii.

 

"Wildfires ravage Maui Island, claiming six lives and reducing a historic town to ashes."

"Driven by winds, deadly wildfires have claimed the lives of at least six individuals and wreaked havoc on the resort city of Lahaina on Hawaii's Maui island. Thousands were forced to evacuate, some even seeking refuge in the ocean to escape the smoke and flames. Extensive destruction hit multiple neighborhoods, Lahaina's harbor, and surrounding areas. The fire's toll included 271 damaged or destroyed structures, according to official reports from flyovers conducted by the US Civil Air Patrol and the Maui fire department. The island's western side faced severe closures due to the blazes, while firefighters grappled with three major fires. Starting on Tuesday night, the fires also scorched parts of the Big Island. The fires were exacerbated by dry vegetation, strong winds, and low humidity, according to the National Weather Service."

Officials reported that Hurricane Dora's winds exacerbated the flames across the state. As of 11 am local time (21:00 GMT), the storm was located approximately 1,380 km (857 miles) southwest of Honolulu, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Around 4,000 tourists were attempting to depart from western Maui, informed Ed Sniffen from the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Despite the closure of at least 16 roads, the Maui airport remained operational, and airlines were reducing fares and offering waivers to facilitate evacuations from the island.

Anxious evacuees shared images on social media depicting thick smoke enveloping once-pristine beaches and palm trees.

The situation in Hawaii evoked memories of devastation witnessed elsewhere in the world this summer, as unprecedented heat-triggered wildfires forced the evacuation of tens of thousands in Greece, Spain, Portugal, and other parts of Europe, while western Canada battled exceptionally severe fires.

Scientists emphasize that human-caused climate change, primarily fueled by the consumption of fossil fuels, is amplifying the occurrence and severity of such extreme weather occurrences. They have consistently cautioned that government authorities must urgently reduce emissions to avert a climate disaster.

Maxar satellite imagery reveals complete devastation of the Banyan Court area following the West Maui's Lahaina wildfire. [Maxar Technologies/Getty Images]