Hawaii wildfire: Maui leaves at least 53 people dead and over 1,000 structures destroyed

Hawaii Wildfire: The worst wildfires in Hawaii's history have left the town of Lahaina in ruins and claimed at least 53 lives, causing widespread devastation on the island of Maui. The fast-moving blazes, which have not been fully contained, mark the deadliest wildfire event in the United States since 2018's Camp Fire in northern California, where 85 people perished.

The fires have transformed Lahaina into a smoking wreckage, and the damage is described as unimaginable by officials. Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke stated that Lahaina had been "decimated" and "forever changed." As rescue teams, including the Hawaii National Guard, continue to search for victims, officials anticipate that the death toll will rise.

“What we’ve seen today has been catastrophic” and likely the “worst natural disaster” in the history of Hawaii, Gov. Josh Green (D) said at a news conference Thursday. “We will continue to see loss of life.”

Maui's wildfires forced large-scale evacuations, displaced numerous families, and left parts of the island without power or cellphone service. The fires were fueled by months of drought that dried out vegetation, making it more susceptible to flames. Unusually powerful winds further exacerbated the situation, propelling the fires out of control with gusts reaching up to 67 mph.

President Biden spoke with Hawaii Governor Josh Green and approved a disaster declaration for the destruction, authorizing federal aid to assist the state's recovery efforts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is sending disaster assistance personnel, and all available federal assets, including the Coast Guard, Navy, and Army, are being deployed to aid local emergency response crews.

The island's infrastructure, buildings, and landscapes have suffered severe damage. Historic structures, such as an inn built in 1911 and Maui's first Christian congregation, Waiola Church, have been consumed by the flames. Even the iconic 150-year-old banyan tree, believed to be the largest of its kind in the United States, sustained severe burns.

The full extent of the disaster's impact is yet to be determined, and recovery efforts are expected to require billions of dollars. Hawaii's communities are grappling with the aftermath of a catastrophe that has left lives shattered and landscapes forever changed.

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- With inputs from agencies

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