The U.S. military's response to the wildfires on Maui was crucial in the early response to the blazes that have devastated the island and the historic town of Lahaina.
The National Guard's aviation unit was also activated to assist with fire suppression on both islands once the winds died down enough.
The Coast Guard responds during the Lahaina wildfires in Maui, Hawaii, Aug. 9, 2023. A total of 17 people were saved from the water and 40 survivors were located ashore by Coast Guard Station Maui boat crews.However, the number of Hawaii National Guard helicopters available to assist was less than normal since many of them were in transit back to Hawaii after having participated in a large exercise in Louisiana.
Guardsmen supported the firefighting efforts on Tuesday by doing 58 aerial water drops of more than 100,000 gallons of water,A helicopter with the Hawaii Army National Guard performs aerial water bucket pick up to fight wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui, Aug. 9, 2023.But additional resources were needed and the active-duty military resources available in Hawaii were called upon to assist.
A member of the Hawaii Army National Guard uses aerial water bucket drops from a Chinook helicopter to fight fires on the Island of Maui, Hawaii, Aug. 9, 2023. The two air crews performed 58 total bucket drops in 5 hours in up country Maui totaling over one hundred thousand gallons dropped on the fires.By Wednesday morning, two Blackhawk UH-60's and another Chinook from the 25th Infantry Division were sent to the Big Island to do the same with the fires that were blazing there.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Maui wildfires live updates: Chaos at Maui's main airport as hundreds try to leavePres. Biden approves Hawaiian disaster declaration to help provide federal aid and assist with evacuation efforts amid deadly wildfires. 'Our prayers are with the people of Hawaii, but not just our prayers. Every asset we have will be available to them.'
Read more »
At least 6 people dead in Hawaii wildfires, Maui mayor saysEvacuations are underway across Hawaii's Big Island and Maui as winds associated with Hurricane Dora are fanning wildfires. Follow the latest news here.
Read more »
At least 6 killed on Hawaii's Maui island as fires force people to flee flamesWind-whipped wildfires raced through the Hawaiian island of Maui, forcing evacuations and leading some to flee to the relative safety of the ocean. At least six people were killed on the Hawaiian island of Maui as wind-fueled wildfires tore through the area, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen announced. The blazes drove people to jump into the ocean to escape flames and smoke and forced people to evacuate Wednesday, authorities said.
Read more »
Maui mayor says 6 people are dead in devastating Hawaii wildfiresWildfires are racing across part of Maui in Hawaii, destroying sections of a historic town on the island and forcing some to flee to the relative safety of the ocean, where the Coast Guard rescued them. Six people have died.
Read more »
People in Hawaii flee into ocean to escape wildfire destroying historic Maui tourist townWildfires in Hawaii fanned by strong winds burned multiple structures in areas including historic Lahaina town, forcing evacuations and closing schools in several communities, and rescuers pulled a dozen people escaping smoke and flames from the ocean.
Read more »