Wildfires burning in Hawaii

[RadishRose]

A wildfire tore through the heart of the Hawaiian island of Maui in darkness Wednesday, reducing much of a historic town to ash and forcing people to jump into the ocean to flee the flames. At least six people died, dozens were wounded and 271 structures were damaged or destroyed.

 

[SeaBreeze]

I've heard about that sad news. I spent a couple of vacations in Hawaii, and I loved Maui. Did some shopping and dining in Lahaina. My heart goes out to those suffering from this tragedy, such destruction.

 

[hearlady]

I've been to Maui too. So sad to see this.

 

[Jackie23]

Such a beautiful island decimated....heartbreaking.

 

[JustDave]

It's hard to imagine forest fires in Hawaii. Molten lava, yes, but forest fires not so much. I wintered there, and my god, it rains in the winter. This may be a double edged sword. Rain lessens fire hazard but it also creates lush new growth that becomes problematic during a drought. Most of the time, at least during my visit, there are tons of fuel in the forests, but it's wet fuel... until it's not, and then it's a hazard.

 

[Lara]

So so sad. How did it start?

 

[RadishRose]

So so sad. How did it start?

"What caused the Maui fire?​

Much of Hawaii was under a red flag warning for fire risk when the wildfires broke out, but the exact cause of the blaze is still unknown.

"We don't know what actually ignited the fires, but we were made aware in advance by the National Weather Service that we were in a red flag situation — so that's dry conditions for a long time, so the fuel, the trees and everything, was dry," Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara, commander general Topof the Hawaii Army National Guard, said at Wednesday's briefing. That, along with low humidity and high winds, "set the conditions for the wildfires," he said."

 

[WhatInThe]

Police have launched an arson investigation but cause still unknown

https://www.khon2.com/hawaii-fires/kaʻu-arson-investigation-initiated-by-hawaiʻi-island-police/

RIP those that passed and speedy recovery to the injured and rebuilding to follow

 

[JustBonee]

Lost in the fires .. over 100 years old

 

[Murrmurr]

Lost in the fires .. over 100 years old

In last year's California wildfires, the state lost a handful of Giant Redwood and Sequoia trees that were from 900 to 2000 years old.

 

[JustBonee]

In last year's California wildfires, the state lost a handful of Giant Redwood and Sequoia trees that were from 900 to 2000 years old.

I know ... so darn sad!

 

[rgp]

Lost in the fires .. over 100 years old

Heard on the news this afternoon that ... the tree was not lost , but was damaged. Hopes are that it will survive afterall .

 

[oscash]

We know what damage bush fires cause here in Australia. There is a burn back often because they say we are in for bad bushfires this Summer. Let's hope not.

 

[RadishRose]

 

[JustBonee]

Heard on the news this afternoon that ... the tree was not lost , but was damaged. Hopes are that it will survive afterall .

Can only hope.

Before and After ... a picture taken this afternoon: this Banyan is 150 yrs. old

 

[oscash]

Same here in Australia and not to mention the Koala population has almost been wiped out.

 

[JustBonee]

Same here in Australia and not to mention the Koala population has almost been wiped out.

That breaks my heart

 

[PeppermintPatty]

It’s incredibly sad. It’s like our worlds burning up. The poor people, their pets, the wildlife, the ancient trees. It’s all too much.

 

[Warrigal]

We know what damage bush fires cause here in Australia. There is a burn back often because they say we are in for bad bushfires this Summer. Let's hope not.

The time between fire seasons is shrinking which means that opportunities for controlled burning are more limited, especially if there is a lot of rain. Rain increases the amount of fuel in the understory where fires usually start. Shorter winters and longer summers are a dangerous combination when it comes to wild fires.

I understand that the Maui and Hawaii fires were fanned by hurricane level winds, making them unstoppable.

 

[WhatInThe]

The speed of this fire must have been really fast for the damage and fatalities. And such a rarity at that. Which is probably they never expected the fires or expected 'a' to do as much damage it did. Also shows how small the island is and how much over building there might have been.

Still waiting for the cause.

In the meantime again RIP victims and speedy recovery to survivors.

 

[WhatInThe]

The speed of this fire must have been really fast for the damage and fatalities. And such a rarity at that. Which is probably they never expected the fires or expected 'a' to do as much damage it did. Also shows how small the island is and how much over or high density building there might have been.

Still waiting for the cause.

In the meantime again RIP victims and speed recovery to survivors.

 

[JustBonee]

The speed of this fire must have been really fast for the damage and fatalities. And such a rarity at that. Which is probably they never expected the fires or expected 'a' to do as much damage it did. Also shows how small the island is and how much over building there might have been.

Still waiting for the cause.

In the meantime again RIP victims and speedy recovery to survivors.

Yes, it is a small island

 

[RadishRose]

Which is probably they never expected the fires or expected 'a' to do as much damage it did.

Yes, they were under a "Red Flag Alert" for weeks. A lot of good that did them, poor folks.

 

[JustDave]

The speed of this fire must have been really fast for the damage and fatalities. And such a rarity at that. Which is probably they never expected the fires or expected 'a' to do as much damage it did.

High winds would do it.

 

[WhatInThe]

Yes, they were under a "Red Flag Alert" for weeks. A lot of good that did them, poor folks.

There might have been alerts in the past that led to nothing that's usually the case with many -weather alerts.Too many view them as cry wolf.