Maui Wildfire Kills 6, Injures Dozens

photo captured from KCRA.com

A wildfire swept away one of the most tranquil Hawaiian islands, Maui. At least 6 people died due to the wildfire and dozens were injured according to AP. Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke said the flames “wiped out communities,” and urged travelers to stay away.

“This is not a safe place to be,” she said, “The wind-driven conflagration swept into coastal Lahaina with alarming speed and ferocity, blazing through intersections and leaping across wooden buildings in the town center that dates to the 1700s and is on the National Register of Historic Places.”

So far, 6 people died and dozens of people were wounded. Rescue and search operations are working, but under the darkness, with strong wind gusts above 60 mph knocking out power, the process is difficult and laboring.

“Do NOT go to Lahaina Town,” the county tweeted hours before all roads in and out of the community of 12,000 residents were closed to everyone except emergency personnel.

The Coast Guard on Tuesday rescued 14 people, including two children, who had fled into the ocean to escape the fire and smoky conditions, the county said in a statement.

Kahului Airport, the main airport in Maui, was sheltering 2,000 travelers whose flights were canceled or who recently arrived on the island, the county said.

Officials are currently preparing the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu to take in up to 4,000 displaced tourists and locals.