Tag: wildfires

Raging wildfires engulf western Canada: Kelowna and beyond face unprecedented threats

KELOWNA, Canada, Aug 21, 2023 (AFP) – Fires ravaging western Canada gained more ground on Sunday as two blazes merged and residents continued to evacuate. Rapidly evolving wildfires threatened large parts of the scenic Okanagan Valley, including the city of Kelowna, British Columbia. The situation in the popular boating and hiking destination was “highly dynamic,” said Bowinn Ma, the province’s minister of emergency management. “Do not travel to fire-affected areas of the province for tourism,” […]

Maui emergency manager resigns after wildfire warning criticism

LOS ANGELES, Aug 18, 2023 (AFP) – The embattled head of Maui’s emergency management agency, who had come under fire for sirens not being sounded as a wildfire tore through the Hawaiian town of Lahaina, resigned Thursday, a statement said. “Today Mayor Richard Bissen accepted the resignation of Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Administrator Herman Andaya,” a Maui County release said. “Citing health reasons, Andaya submitted his resignation effective immediately.” Andaya on Wednesday told a […]

Mass evacuations underway as wildfires threaten Canada’s northern metropolis

Thousands ordered to flee wildfires advancing on one of the largest cities in Canada’s far north started leaving on emergency evacuation flights Thursday, as convoys snaked south to safety on the only open highway. The order late Wednesday to evacuate Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories marked the latest chapter of a terrible summer for wildfires in Canada, with tens of thousands of people forced to leave their homes and vast swaths of land scorched. Tiffany […]

Invasive firestarter: How non-native grasses turned Hawaii into a tinderbox

WASHINGTON, Aug 18, 2023 (AFP) – After a catastrophic wildfire that killed more than 100 people in Hawaii, eyes have turned toward an unexpected culprit: invasive grass species that have spread massively over the archipelago for decades, serving as the perfect fuel. Drought-resistant, capable of invading difficult terrain, and gradually muscling out local species, they are also a growing threat in the western United States, where devastating fires are increasing. “Invasive grasses are very ignitable. […]

The deadliest wildfires

PARIS, Aug 14, 2023 (AFP) – The US wildfire in which almost 100 have died in Hawaii is among the most deadly of the 21st century. Some previous wildfires: – Australia – In “Black Saturday” in Australia’s Victoria state, 173 people were killed, in Australia’s worst bushfire on February 7, 2009. Whole towns and more than 2,000 homes were destroyed. – Greece in 2007 and 2018 – In Greece’s worst-ever fire disaster, 103 people died […]

Hawaii fire death toll hits 99, may double, warns governor

KAHULUI, United States, Aug 14, 2023 (AFP) – The death toll in Hawaii’s wildfires rose to 99 and could double over the next 10 days, the state’s governor said Monday, as emergency personnel painstakingly scoured the incinerated landscape for more human remains. Last week’s inferno on the island of Maui is already the deadliest US wildfire in a century. But Governor Josh Green said more fatalities are certain, as emergency responders with cadaver dogs work […]

Unveiling the devastation: Aftermath of Hawaii’s wildfire and questions over alerts

In this video we follow Joshua Galang’s report on the most recent developments and aftermath surrounding the catastrophic Maui wildfire. No sirens sounded, and a number of Lahaina residents reported becoming aware of the fire through neighbors urgently passing down the street or witnessing the situation firsthand. We listen to the proclamation made by Governor Joshua Green, who has categorized this incident as the deadliest wildfire in modern U.S. history.

An early update on Maui’s wildfire with our Hawaii bureau

In the following video, we are joined by Alfred Acenas, our Hawaii Bureau Chief. Alfred takes us through a detailed update on the wildfire situation in its early aftermath. He sheds valuable insights into the ongoing efforts, challenges, and impact of the wildfire that has captured the attention of communities across the region and the world.  

Hawaii fire death toll nears 100, anger grows

LAHAINA, United States, Aug 13, 2023 (AFP) – The death toll in Hawaii from the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century was expected to cross the 100-mark Sunday, fueling criticism that an inadequate official response contributed to the heavy loss of life. Officials updated the toll to 93 late Saturday, but warned the figure was likely to rise as recovery crews with cadaver dogs continued the grim task of searching burned out homes […]

Hawaii starts probe into wildfire handling, as toll hits 67

LAHAINA, United States, Aug 12, 2023 (AFP) – Hawaii’s chief legal officer said Friday she was opening a probe into the handling of devastating wildfires that killed at least 67 people in the state this week, as criticism grows of the official response. The announcement came as residents of Lahaina were allowed back into the town for the first time — with most finding their homes had been reduced to ashes, and even the lucky […]

Amidst the wildfire aftermath in Hawaii

Lahaina’s Devastation: Aerial Shot Reveals Wildfire-Destroyed Boat Amidst the Aftermath on August 11, 2023 in Hawaii. The town of Lahaina suffered immense loss and displacement as a wind-driven wildfire struck, resulting in numerous casualties and thousands displaced. Ongoing search operations are focused on locating missing individuals. AFP