Wildfire roars through Hawaii’s historic Lahaina
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The death toll from the devastating wildfires on the island of Maui, Hawaii, has now climbed to 55 – as officials warned that the loss of life is expected to rise further.
Another 17 fatalities were confirmed on Thursday, taking the toll to 53 victims. By Thursday night, another two people had been found dead, Maui County confirmed.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green said on Thursday evening that around 1,000 people are still unaccounted for, as he said that the Aloha State is headed for its deadliest disaster in state history.
Mr Green said that those unaccounted for are not presumed dead but that hundreds have been left without communications and so their safety is unclear.
“Here’s the challenge: there’s no power, no internet, no phone, no radio. You compound some of that. So when we’re speaking to our officers, we need them to get a sat phone,” he said.
The wildfires continue to devastate Lahaina, with more than 1,700 buildings and billions of dollars in property destroyed.
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said that the historic town has been totally wiped out.
“It’s all gone. None of it’s there. It’s all burnt to the ground,” he said.
WATCH: Oprah Winfrey hands out supplies to those impacted by Maui wildfires
ICYMI: United Airlines only operating flights out of Maui to assist in evacuations
United Airlines said they have removed inbound flights to Kahului Airport to assist in evacuating visitors as the island battles wildfires.
The airlines said in a statement that they are monitoring the situation in Hawaii “closely” and “emphasising safety” of their employees in Maui, according to NBC News.
“We’ve canceled today’s inbound flights to Kahului Airport so our planes can fly empty to Maui and be used as passenger flights back to the mainland,” United said.
The airline is also offering refunds to passengers who want to cancel their flights.
Mick Fleetwood says his Hawaii restaurant was ‘lost’ in devastating Maui wildfires
Mick Fleetwood has confirmed that his restaurant in Hawaii has been burnt down by the ongoing deadly wildfires in Maui.
The Fleetwood Mac co-founder, 76, wrote in a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that Fleetwood’s on Front Street “has been lost” as the fires rip through the historic town of Lahaina on the island.
Read the full story:
WATCH: Hawaii governor admits it will take 'many years to recover' from devastating wildfires
President Biden issues major disaster declaration as wildfires burn in Hawaii
President Joe Biden declared the wildfires in Hawaii to be a major disaster, allowing for the state to use federal funding in recovery efforts.
On Thursday, Mr Biden issued the declaration after 53 people died and thousands of others were evacuated as a result of the raging wildfires that burned through several areas of Maui, Hawaii and Ohau.
The fires, which began earlier this week, have caused extensive damage in towns, including the historic town of Lahaina, knocking out power and cellphone service.
Thousands of visitors and residents have been ordered to evacuate.
The new declaration will allow Hawaii to use federal funding to assist individual and business recovery efforts in Maui County.
What’s the containment of the wildfires?
The devastating wildfire that has destroyed the historic town of Lahaina was 80 percent contained by Thursday morning local time, according to Maui officials.
Firefighters were also making progress in the battles against two other major fires across the Hawaiian island.
However, despite the progress, none of the wildfires which have been burning on Maui since Tuesday are 100 percent contained yet.
Oprah Winfrey seen handing out supplies in Maui
Oprah Winfrey has been seen handing out supplies in Maui to those displaced by the devastating wildfires.
The talk show host visited the War Memorial Stadium in Maui on Thursday where she donated pillows, nappies and shampoo to people who have been forced to take shelter at the site.
“It’s a little overwhelming, you know. But I’m really so pleased to have so many people bringing what they can and doing what they can,” she told the BBC.
“I came earlier to see what people needed and then went shopping. Because often, you make donations of clothes or whatever and it’s not really what people need.
“So I actually went to Walmart and Costco and got pillows, diapers, sheets, pillowcases.”
Oprah pays a visit to makeshift shelter in Maui
WATCH: Passenger plane lands in Maui surrounded by orange flames
A wildfire burns in Kihei, Hawaii
A wildfire burns in Kihei, Hawaii late Wednesday, 9 August 2023. Thousands of residents raced to escape homes on Maui as blazes swept across the island, destroying parts of a centuries-old town in one of the deadliest US wildfires in recent years. (AP Photo/Ty O'Neil)
Pictures of the Week-North America-Photo Gallery
Before and after satellite images show scale of ferocious Hawaii wildfires
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2023-08-11 10:05:41Z
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