Devastating Wildfires on Maui: Death Toll Rises to 53, Hundreds Displaced

Residents of Maui awoke Thursday to survey the devastation caused by the island's worst wildfires, which killed at least 53 people and turned the historic town of Lahaina into a smoking ruin. The Maui wildfires, still not fully contained, are the deadliest to occur in the United States since 2018's Camp Fire in northern California, which killed 85 people. The fires are a catastrophe that has left a swath of the island without power or cellphone service, forced large-scale evacuations, and displaced hundreds of families. Rescue teams, including members of the Hawaii National Guard, continue to search for victims, and officials warn that the death toll is likely to rise.

Key Takeaways:

• At least 53 people have been killed in the Maui wildfires, making it the deadliest wildfire in the United States since 2018's Camp Fire in northern California.
• The fires have destroyed over 1,700 structures and left nearly 11,000 people without power in Maui.
• The death toll has jumped from 36 to 53 in a single day, with officials warning that it is likely to rise.
• Residents of Maui are being told not to come to the island, with Hawaii officials asking visitors and residents to refrain from nonessential air travel.
• Several airlines have added more flights, swapped in bigger planes, or made other changes to help accommodate evacuees, while offering travel waivers and eliminating fees for travelers whose plans are changing.
• The rest of the state is open for business, with Hawaii officials encouraging visitors to consider rescheduling their travel plans for other parts of the state.
• The wildfires have been fueled by months of drought, which have dried out vegetation, making it more flammable in recent decades due to the spread of nonnative grasses.
• Unusually powerful winds caused the fires to spread out of control at an alarming rate, with gusts as high as 67 mph reported in Maui County.
• Many residents have reported feeling lucky to survive the inferno, with some saying they had to dodge trees and navigate through thick smoke to escape.
• Rescue teams have been searching for missing relatives, with handwritten lists of those who made it to safety being posted at evacuation centers.
• A historic inn built in 1911 and Waiola Church, Maui's first Christian congregation, were among the buildings destroyed by the fire, with a 150-year-old banyan tree severely burned.

Statistics:

• At least 53 people have been killed in the Maui wildfires.
• The death toll has jumped from 36 to 53 in a single day.
• Nearly 11,000 people are without power in Maui.
• Over 1,700 structures have been destroyed in the fires.
• Gusts as high as 67 mph were reported in Maui County.
• Hundreds of families have been displaced by the fires.
• The wildfires have been fueled by months of drought and unusually powerful winds.

Sources:

• The Washington Post, "Maui wildfires: At least 53 dead, hundreds displaced as authorities struggle to contain blazes"
• CNN, "Maui wildfires: Death toll rises to 53, hundreds displaced"
• Hawaii News Now, "Maui wildfires: State of emergency declared as fires continue to spread"
• The New York Times, "Maui Wildfires: Death Toll Climbs to 53"