<p>Wildfires have devastated parts of the Hawaiian island of Maui, killing at least six people, damaging or destroying over 270 structures and reducing most of a historic town to ash.</p><p>County of Maui Mayor Richard Bissen Jr. said Wednesday that the number of fatalities could rise. At least two dozen people were injured by the fires. Bissen also said dozens have been evacuated.</p><p><strong>MAP:</strong> <a href=”https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/08/09/map-maui-wildfires-lahaina-upcountry/”><strong>Maui wildfires burning in Lahaina and upcountry</strong></a></p><p>County of Maui spokesperson Mahina Martin says the fire was widespread in the historic tourist community of Lahaina, including on Front Street, a popular shopping and dining area.</p><p>Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke is discouraging travelers from coming to Maui, saying that right now, it’s “not a safe place to be.”</p><p>
<img class=”lazyautosizes lazyload” src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525725006-1.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1″ sizes=”1249px” srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525725006-1.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525725006-1.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525725006-1.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525725006-1.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525725006-1.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w” alt=”People watch as smoke and flames fill the air from raging wildfires on Front Street in downtown Lahaina, Maui on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. Maui officials say wildfire in the historic town has burned parts of one of the most popular tourist areas in Hawaii. County of Maui spokesperson Mahina Martin said in a phone interview early Wednesday fire was widespread in Lahaina, including Front Street, an area of the town popular with tourists. (Alan Dickar via AP)” width=”2500″ height=”353″ data-sizes=”auto” data-src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525725006-1.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1″ data-attachment-id=”3213662″ data-srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525725006-1.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525725006-1.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525725006-1.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525725006-1.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525725006-1.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w” /> People watch as smoke and flames fill the air from raging wildfires on Front Street in downtown Lahaina, Maui on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. (Alan Dickar via AP)
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<img class=”lazyautosizes lazyload” src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221557587462-1.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1″ sizes=”1249px” srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221557587462-1.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221557587462-1.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221557587462-1.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221557587462-1.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221557587462-1.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w” alt=”This photo provided by County of Maui shows fire and smoke filling the sky from wildfires on the intersection at Hokiokio Place and Lahaina Bypass in Maui, Hawaii on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. Wildfires in Hawaii fanned by strong winds burned multiple structures in areas including historic Lahaina town, forcing evacuations and closing schools in several communities Wednesday, and rescuers pulled a dozen people escaping smoke and flames from the ocean. (Zeke Kalua/County of Maui via AP)” width=”1500″ height=”314″ data-sizes=”auto” data-src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221557587462-1.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1″ data-attachment-id=”3213665″ data-srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221557587462-1.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221557587462-1.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221557587462-1.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221557587462-1.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221557587462-1.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w” /> This photo provided by County of Maui shows fire and smoke filling the sky from wildfires on the intersection at Hokiokio Place and Lahaina Bypass in Maui, Hawaii on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. Wildfires in Hawaii fanned by strong winds burned multiple structures in areas including historic Lahaina town, forcing evacuations and closing schools in several communities Wednesday, and rescuers pulled a dozen people escaping smoke and flames from the ocean. (Zeke Kalua/County of Maui via AP)
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<img class=”lazyautosizes lazyload” src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124174564.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1″ sizes=”625px” srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124174564.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124174564.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124174564.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124174564.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124174564.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w” alt=”Members of a Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources wildland firefighting crew on Maui battle a fire in Kula, Hawaii, on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. Several Hawaii communities were forced to evacuate from wildfires that destroyed at least two homes as of Tuesday as a dry season mixed with strong wind gusts made for dangerous fire conditions. (Matthew Thayer/The Maui News via AP)” width=”6281″ height=”403″ data-sizes=”auto” data-src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124174564.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1″ data-attachment-id=”3213834″ data-srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124174564.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124174564.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124174564.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124174564.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124174564.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w” /> Members of a Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources wildland firefighting crew on Maui battle a fire in Kula, Hawaii, on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. Several Hawaii communities were forced to evacuate from wildfires that destroyed at least two homes as of Tuesday as a dry season mixed with strong wind gusts made for dangerous fire conditions. (Matthew Thayer/The Maui News via AP)
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<img class=”lazyautosizes lazyload” src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124311698.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1″ sizes=”625px” srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124311698.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124311698.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124311698.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124311698.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124311698.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w” alt=”A woman evacuates her horse past a Maui County crew working to clear Olinda Road of wind-blown debris in the fire-threatened area of Kula, Hawaii, on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. Several Hawaii communities were forced to evacuate from wildfires that destroyed at least two homes as of Tuesday as a dry season mixed with strong wind gusts made for dangerous fire conditions. (Matthew Thayer/The Maui News via AP)” width=”5961″ height=”383″ data-sizes=”auto” data-src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124311698.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1″ data-attachment-id=”3213835″ data-srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124311698.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124311698.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124311698.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124311698.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221124311698.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w” /> A woman evacuates her horse past a Maui County crew working to clear Olinda Road of wind-blown debris in the fire-threatened area of Kula, Hawaii, on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. Several Hawaii communities were forced to evacuate from wildfires that destroyed at least two homes as of Tuesday as a dry season mixed with strong wind gusts made for dangerous fire conditions. (Matthew Thayer/The Maui News via AP)
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<img class=”lazyautosizes lazyload” src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525728221.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1″ sizes=”1249px” srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525728221.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525728221.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525728221.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525728221.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525728221.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w” alt=”CORRECTS DATE TO AUG. 8 – Smoke and flames fill the air from raging wildfires on Front Street in downtown Lahaina, Maui on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. Maui officials say wildfire in the historic town has burned parts of one of the most popular tourist areas in Hawaii. County of Maui spokesperson Mahina Martin said in a phone interview early Wednesday says fire was widespread in Lahaina, including Front Street, an area of the town popular with tourists. (Alan Dickar via AP)” width=”2500″ height=”350″ data-sizes=”auto” data-src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525728221.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1″ data-attachment-id=”3213664″ data-srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525728221.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525728221.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525728221.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525728221.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221525728221.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w” /> Smoke and flames fill the air from raging wildfires on Front Street in downtown Lahaina, Maui on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. (Alan Dickar via AP)
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<img class=”lazyautosizes lazyload” src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221702268996.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1″ sizes=”1249px” srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221702268996.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221702268996.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221702268996.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221702268996.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221702268996.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w” alt=”In this photo provided by Brantin Stevens smoke fill the air from wild fires at Lahaina harbor on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023 in Hawaii. Fire was widespread in Lahaina Town, including on Front Street, a popular shopping and dining area, County of Maui spokesperson Mahina Martin said by phone early Wednesday. Traffic has been very heavy as people try to evacuate the area, and officials asked people who weren’t in an evacuation area to shelter in place to avoid adding to the traffic, she said. (Brantin Stevens via AP)” width=”1385″ height=”1119″ data-sizes=”auto” data-src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221702268996.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1″ data-attachment-id=”3213666″ data-srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221702268996.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221702268996.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221702268996.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221702268996.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221702268996.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w” /> In this photo provided by Brantin Stevens smoke fill the air from wild fires at Lahaina harbor on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023 in Hawaii. (Brantin Stevens via AP)
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<img class=”lazyautosizes lazyload” src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221713308427.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1″ sizes=”1249px” srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221713308427.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221713308427.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221713308427.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221713308427.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221713308427.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w” alt=”In this photo provided by Brantin Stevens, smoke fill the air from wild fires at Lahaina harbor on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023 in Hawaii. Fire was widespread in Lahaina Town, including on Front Street, a popular shopping and dining area, County of Maui spokesperson Mahina Martin said by phone early Wednesday. Traffic has been very heavy as people try to evacuate the area, and officials asked people who weren’t in an evacuation area to shelter in place to avoid adding to the traffic, she said. (Brantin Stevens via AP)” width=”1456″ height=”1115″ data-sizes=”auto” data-src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221713308427.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1″ data-attachment-id=”3213667″ data-srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221713308427.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221713308427.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221713308427.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221713308427.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221713308427.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w” /> In this photo provided by Brantin Stevens, smoke fill the air from wild fires at Lahaina harbor on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023 in Hawaii. (Brantin Stevens via AP)
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<img class=”lazyautosizes lazyload” src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221123975852.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1″ sizes=”1249px” srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221123975852.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221123975852.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221123975852.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221123975852.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221123975852.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w” alt=”Smoke blows across the slope of Haleakala volcano on Maui, Hawaii, as a fire burns in Maui’s upcountry region on Tuesday, Aug. 8. 2023. Several Hawaii communities were forced to evacuate from wildfires that destroyed at least two homes as of Tuesday as a dry season mixed with strong wind gusts made for dangerous fire conditions. (Matthew Thayer/The Maui News via AP)” width=”7314″ height=”427″ data-sizes=”auto” data-src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221123975852.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1″ data-attachment-id=”3213660″ data-srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221123975852.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221123975852.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221123975852.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221123975852.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP23221123975852.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w” /> Smoke blows across the slope of Haleakala volcano on Maui, Hawaii, as a fire burns in Maui’s upcountry region on Tuesday, Aug. 8. 2023. (Matthew Thayer/The Maui News via AP)
