Fires in Hawaii, the devastating images

The US Federal Civil Defense Agency estimates that $5.5 billion will be needed for reconstruction a Maui, after the devastating fires in Hawaii in recent days, from Tuesday 8 August, three fueled by strong winds and dry weather (80% of the island’s territory is abnormally dry). On Saturday 12 August the death toll rose to at least 80, a toll destined to rise. The governor of the archipelago Josh Green said that “no doubt there will be other victims”. A thousand are feared missing.

The local county says 1,418 people are in emergency shelters. More than 2,200 buildings were damaged or destroyed. New evacuations were ordered by Hawaii authorities in Maui County after reports of an outbreak in Kaanapali, a western city about 6.5 km north of the destroyed city of Lahaina. Mobile hotspots have been brought in to reach people who may not have been able to call for help since the fires broke out.

The images tell of devastation. There are car wrecks abandoned during the escape, houses and shops destroyed, trees and poles incinerated. The iconic Banyan Tree also burned out front in Lahaina Harbor. It was one of the largest banyan trees in the United States, a symbol of the city in Hawaii. All the animals that inhabited it also lost their lives. Rescue dogs were brought in by rescue teams to help search for the remains of those killed.

Nearly 15,000 tourists have already left Maui thanks to the additional flights provided by the airlines. 60 Italians have been tracked down by the Foreign Ministry Antonio Tajani.

The president of the United States Joe Biden announced a state of emergency on Thursday to unblock federal funds for affected local governments and citizens. Strong controversy over the lack of alarm for the biggest disaster since the island has been a US state. The Hawaii prosecutor’s office announced the opening of an investigation into the way the authorities handled the situation. Many of the survivors said they did not hear any sirens, there are 400 of them on the islands that make up the largest integrated outdoor warning system for public safety, and they only realized they were in danger after seeing the flames or heard explosions. County authorities Lahaina They said they sent emergency alerts via text message, with radio and TV alerts, but it’s unclear whether they were sent before fire breakdowns severed communications.

The ecosystem of the island is at risk, a unique ecosystem in the world between flora and fauna. The soils are charred, the waters polluted. The bees for the pollination of the flowers of the traditional welcome necklaces are missing. There has never been a fire this close to a reef. Except instead the Bird Conservation Center.