Wildfires Devastate Maui, Tourists and Residents Trapped as 911 Services Fail

Catastrophic wildfires have broken out on the island of Maui in Hawaii, forcing residents and tourists to flee for their lives. The fires have been fueled in part by Hurricane Dora, which is churning some 800 miles away. As a result, many parts of the island have lost 911 services and communication, leaving people stranded and emergency crews unable to respond. The fires have also wiped out power to around 14,000 homes and businesses. It is unclear how many people have been injured or killed in the inferno. Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke called the situation “unprecedented” and expressed concern about the lack of communication. Efforts are being made to evacuate tourists to another island, but severed communications have made this difficult. Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for parts of Maui, and emergency shelters have been relocated outside of the affected areas. Members of the Hawaii National Guard have been activated to assist with traffic control. The fires on Maui come as other parts of the US, such as Texas, are also grappling with devastating wildfires. Experts had predicted wildfires for this season, and the situation in Maui is being described as extraordinary.