Maui: Six people killed after wildfires fanned by hurricane winds sweep across Hawaii island
The western side of Maui – one of Hawaii’s eight main islands, which lie 2,000 miles west of the US mainland – was nearly cut off, including the tourist resort of Lahaina, with only one highway exiting the area remaining open.The National Weather Service said Hurricane Dora, which was passing to the south of the island chain at a safe distance of 500 miles, was partly to blame for gusts above 60 mph that knocked out power, rattled homes and grounded firefighting helicopters.
Panicked people fleeing the flames posted videos and photos on social media showing apocalyptic clouds of smoke billowing up over formerly once-idyllic beaches and palm trees.Mayor Bissen had few details about the deaths, telling reporters he had just been informed of the number before the briefing started.
“The situation is really fluid. They are doing search and rescue as we speak,” said National Guard Major General Kenneth Hara.Some people were forced to jump into the ocean to escape the smoke and fire conditions, prompting the US Coast Guard to rescue them, according to a Maui County press release.