Federal, state, local governments mobilize following Maui wildfire that killed at least 55

The nation is mobilizing to aid Lahaina, Hawaii and its surrounding communities in the wake of devastating wildfire that has claimed the lives of at least 55 people on the island of Maui. With little notice, residents were forced to flee for their lives Tuesday when wind-driven flames raced across the dry landscape. Some found refuge in the ocean, according to reports. 

“This is a tragic day for everyone in Hawai‘i and the nation. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and the survivors suffering through the deadliest natural disaster the state has seen in generations,” said Hawaii Gov. Josh Green Wednesday in a statement. “In the coming days—as more and more details emerge—I ask that we as a state provide all the emotional and financial support we can to the people of Lahaina and Maui.”

A video filmed from a plane by Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke shows a large swath of scorched land where buildings once stood in the historic neighborhood of Lahaina. Locally, an emergency procolmation was issued Tuesday. A state of emergency Wednesday was declared by Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, and Biden issued a federal major disaster declaration Thursday.

“Hundreds of families have been displaced, dozens of businesses have burned, 100s of homes burned, and 36 people have died so far. Many pets have also died,” reads an update posted Thursday to Maui’s official website. “Winds have finally died down, allowing for helicopters to assist in controlling the fires. Kahului Airport (OGG) is still open and has sheltered over 1,800 people.”

Mass evacuations via bus were ongoing as of the post, with more than 11,000 people already having left. Lahaina had a population of 12,702 as of the 2020 U.S. Census. According to the site, Lahaina Harbor is “gone,” and most of Front Street and Lahaina Town burned. A well-known, historic banyan tree was scorched and scarred, but is still standing.

“Many boats left and helped people to escape. The Coast Guard is reported as having saved people in the ocean trying to escape flames and smoke. Multiple fires are still burning in Lahaina,” the update says.

State, local and federal agencies are aiding in the response. An update from the Pentagon reported that National Guardsmen are supporting firefighting efforts, having dropped more than 100,000 gallons of water as of Tuesday. The U.S. Coast Guard and Navy Third Fleets were likewise mobilized to help with rescue efforts. Access to Lahaina remains closed as emergency personnel search for survivors and assess the situation.

“Right now, our priority is to ensure the safety of first responders and expedite our process of evaluating the Lahaina Town area,” Maui’s police department said in a statement Thursday afternoon. “Due to biohazard and safety concerns, no unauthorized entry into the area is allowed at this time. We appreciate the cooperation of our community at this challenging time.”

The National Weather Service partially blamed winds from Hurricane Dora, which is passing the island safely to the south, for the devastation. While officials haven’t pinpointed what ignited the fires, the dry conditions, low humidity and high winds created devastating conditions.

“We had all of those three through the end of today, so we knew the conditions were very dangerous for wildfires,” said Maj. Gen Kenneth Hara, of the Department of Defense, in a press briefing. “The reason it spread so fast is that there were were reports of gusts up to 85 miles per hour. That is so fast, and that’s why Maui county had such a hard time during containment of the fire. And because the winds were so high, we couldn’t provide the helicopters to provide water bucket support.”

For comparison, Hara said helicopters can’t fly when the wind is greater than 35 knots, or about 40 miles per hour.