What are the locations of the wildfires?

Devastating wildfires in Hawaii continued to burn across multiple areas in the state of Hawaii on August 14, 2023 (1)(2)(3). The wildfires have caused widescale destruction on the islands of Maui and the Big Island, leading to at least 96 deaths.

The fires on Maui have resulted in the highest wildfire death toll in America in over 100 years.

The fires are being fed by high winds and dry conditions caused by Hurricane Dora passing south of the state.

Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfires?

The cities and areas directly impacted by the Hawaii Wildfires include:

• Lahaina, Maui: 2,700 buildings were destroyed by the fire. Searchers are still looking for missing people in this area (4)
• KohalaRanch, Kula, and Lahaina areas: Evacuations were conducted in these areas due to the threat posed by the fires.

What is the current containment status of the wildfires?

Due to the ongoing nature of the wildfires and the challenges posed by strong winds and dry conditions, containment efforts are still in progress.

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

Evacuation orders were issued for various areas affected by the Hawaii wildfires. The emergency proclamation included evacuations in the Kohala Ranch, Kula, and Lahaina areas (6). Both the State of Hawaii and the White House issued emergency proclamations for the state of Hawai’i (7).

The situation is severe enough that non-essential travel to West Maui is being strongly discouraged, and state agencies are ordered to assist with the evacuation efforts. West Maui visitors have been asked to leave so that hotels and accommodations can be used for the displaced residents and emergency workers.

The American Red Cross has also opened shelters to assist those affected by the fires and winds. The Coast Guard was involved in rescuing people from the water in Lahaina as they tried to escape the fast-moving fire.

How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?

Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.

• Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
• Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
• Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
• Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
• Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.