Maui wildfires spotted from space: Satellites reveal devastation in charred towns

The US is witnessing the deadliest wildfire in a century as 93 people have been killed in the fires which swept through various locations in Hawaii's Maui Island. 

According to reports, four wildfires swept across the four towns in Maui but Lahaina, which is considered as the economic hub of the Island, took the most damage. The cities have been burning for three days as of August 13 and the wildfires are driven by dry summers and strong winds from a passing hurricane. The towns of Kihei, Kula and Kaanapali were also charred but the damage was relatively less. 

Maui wildfire spotted from space

Colorado-based space tech company Maxar Technologies has released several satellite images of the wildfires that have devastated the town of Lahaina. Maxar shared before and after pictures of the centuries-old town as it was on June 25 and after being charred on August 9. Lahaina housed 13,000 residents and its Front Street, at the heart of the historic downtown, is Maui’s economic hub. 

[The town of Lahaina on June 25 (left) Vs on August 9 (right); Image: Maxar]

[The town of Lahaina on June 25 (left) Vs on August 9 (right); Image: Maxar]

[The town of Lahaina on June 25 (left) Vs on August 9 (right); Image: Maxar]

According to Hawaii Governor Josh Green, at least 2,200 buildings have been destroyed or damaged due to the fire in West Maui and about 86 per cent of them were residential. He also estimated the damage across the Island at $6 billion and said that recovery would take "an incredible amount of time." 

According to the Maui county officials, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Pacific Disaster Center estimate that around 4,500 people are in need of shelter since the destruction of their houses. The wildfires are the deadliest natural occurrence in Hawaii since the 1960 tsunami which killed 61 people. Another tsunami in 1946 was even deadlier as it claimed 150 lives.