MAUI COUNTY, Hawaii — A wildfire tore through the heart of Maui on Wednesday with alarming speed and ferocity, destroying dozens of homes and businesses in a historic tourist town, killing at least six people and injuring at least two dozen others, and forcing panicked residents to jump into the ocean to flee the flames.
Fires are not uncommon in some parts of Hawaii, but a mix of conditions is fueling the spread on Maui.
Hurricane Dora passed about 500 miles south of the Hawaiian islands Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning as a Category 4 storm. Dora’s strength continues Wednesday with strong winds up to 130 mph and now Dora is about 700 miles south of the islands.
The hurricane, coupled with a high pressure system north of the islands, is funneling in drier winds from the east. Less humidity has made it easier for grass and brush to catch fire quickly. Trade winds, moving easterly, are helping Dora on its path toward the Central Pacific. The proximity of the hurricane to a high pressure system is increasing wind speed and tightening the pressure gradient.
It has allowed not only for the conditions to be drier, but it's fanned flames quickly toward the west side of Maui.
A Wind Advisory is in place there through 6 p.m. Wednesday but may be extended based on the speed and movement of the hurricane, along with the strengthening high pressure system.
Dora is expected to remain a major hurricane through at least Friday before becoming a Category 1 hurricane Sunday.