Wildfires in Hawaii's Maui Island and Big Island have killed at least 56 and about 1000 residents and tourists have evacuated. Reports have emerged of people looking for missing relatives. People have even fled from the famously beautiful island to the ocean to escape the encroaching flames. Hospitals are being overwhelmed with patients suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.
One of the deadliest wildfires in the US in years, is a result of strong winds, dry vegetation and low humidity, according to Robert Bohlin, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service (NWS), Honolulu. According to Bohlin, this is when drought-like conditions being to prevail in various parts of the state’s islands, especially Maui. The fires spread fairly quickly as they were fanned by winds of a distant hurricane-- Hurricane Dora-- travelling at a speed of 60mph.
The fires have burnt through several neighbourhoods including the historic town of Lahaina. Several wooden structures in Lahania's town centre date back to the 1700s and feature on the National Register of Historic Places. The fires burnt through the vegetation before reaching the populated area. Firefighters continue to battle the blazes. At least 4,000 tourists are still trying to evacuate western Maui. The helicopters deployed to speed up evacuations, were also grounded due to stronger gusts of wind.
According to Bohlin, the rugged terrain of the islands is such that the northern part of features a strong high-pressure area, while the southern part features a strong low-pressure area, causing the terrain to sometimes funnel the wind and cause stronger gusts, the Scientific American reports. Coupled with this, low humidity promotes fire growth, making it difficult for firefighters to fight the flames.
The fires have affected landline and cellphone services. A lot of people are also facing power outages. The climate crisis is certainly causing changes in Maui's weather. Clay Trauernicht, a fire scientist at the University of Hawaii, told The Guardian the wet season could spur plants like Guinea grass, an invasive species found across parts of Maui, to grow as quickly as 6in (15cm) a day and reach up to 10ft (3 meters) tall. “These grasslands accumulate fuels very rapidly,” he added. Climate change is also resulting in stronger hurricanes.
