THE SQUIZ
Aussies with an affinity for Hawaii or a familiarity with fires would have clocked what has happened to the township of Lahaina on the island of Maui. At least 36 people are dead, and more than 20 were taken to hospital with burns and smoke inhalation. Lahaina was home to 9,000 people and is historically significant as the former Kingdom of Hawaii’s capital – its residents have been evacuated, along with thousands of tourists, many taking shelter in Maui Airport. Incredible photos and videos show the levelling of the town by the blaze that started on Wednesday our time. Maui isn’t the only Hawaiian island dealing with fires – 3 active blazes are burning on the Big Island, although there’s been no reports of homes lost there.

WHAT HAPPENED?
Hawaiian Governor Josh Green said “hurricane-force winds in the region and underlying drought conditions” is behind the devastation, calling it “the deadliest natural disaster the state has seen in generations.” The supercharged conditions surprised locals, forcing them to leave behind pets and belongings as they fled homes and businesses. And in scenes reminiscent of the Aussie town of Mallacoota during the Black Summer bushfires, residents ran into the ocean to avoid the smoke and flames – 14 had to be rescued by the US Coast Guard. Authorities say at least 271 buildings were destroyed in Lahaina. “We have no more Lahaina. It’s gone,” said one local, while another said the decimated township “looks like something out of a movie, a war movie”. President Joe Biden has declared the wildfires a major disaster, which means federal funding to assist with rescue and recovery will be provided.

FIRES HAVE BEEN A FEATURE OF THE NORTHERN SUMMER, RIGHT?
They sure have… Greece is on fire alert again after fires burned for 11 days last month, forcing thousands of residents and tourists to the Greek Isles to evacuate. Portugal hasn’t been so lucky – 3,400 firefighters are battling 130 fires there as temperatures exceed 40C. And in Spain, people are dealing with temperatures up to 15C higher for this time of year. More than 30 million acres have burned in Canada, where authorities declared this year’s wildfires the biggest in modern history. Just as Aussies plan for a drier, warmer summer just around the corner…