This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/24/hawaii-wildfires-evacuations-maui-paia

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Maui officials knocked on doors to warn residents before wildfire threat receded Maui officials knocked on doors to warn residents before wildfire threat receded
(32 minutes later)
Evacuation orders have now been lifted on fast-growing blaze near Paia, recalling Lahaina’s deadly 2023 fireEvacuation orders have now been lifted on fast-growing blaze near Paia, recalling Lahaina’s deadly 2023 fire
Officials on the Hawaiian island of Maui went door to door evacuating residents from a wildfire Tuesday and sounded emergency sirens. But evacuation orders were lifted later in the day, as the threat from the fire receded. Officials on the Hawaiian island of Maui went door to door evacuating residents from a wildfire on Tuesday and sounded emergency sirens. But evacuation orders were lifted later in the day as the threat from the fire receded.
The fire, which on Tuesday grew to more than 100 acres (40 hectares), was first reported at 1.30pm near the north shore town of Paia, officials said.The fire, which on Tuesday grew to more than 100 acres (40 hectares), was first reported at 1.30pm near the north shore town of Paia, officials said.
The town is a former sugar plantation town that has become popular with windsurfers. It is on the other side of the island from Lahaina, which was destroyed by a deadly wildfire in 2023. Paia is a former sugar plantation town that has become popular with windsurfers. It is on the other side of the island from Lahaina, which was destroyed by a deadly wildfire in 2023.
“Leave immediately!” said one alert from Maui Emergency Management Agency. “There is a dangerous threat to life and property.” “Leave immediately!” said one alert from Maui’s emergency management agency. “There is a dangerous threat to life and property.”
Firefighters worked throughout Tuesday afternoon and evening to stop the blaze’s forward progress, and emergency shelters closed late Tuesday as residents returned home. Firefighters worked throughout Tuesday afternoon and evening to stop the blaze’s forward progress, and emergency shelters closed late on Tuesday as residents returned home.
Before the situation improved, residents were fearful of another devastating blaze. Nohelani Uʻu-Hodgins, a Maui county councilwoman, said her family, including her 86-year-old grandmother, had to evacuate from Paia to stay with her.Before the situation improved, residents were fearful of another devastating blaze. Nohelani Uʻu-Hodgins, a Maui county councilwoman, said her family, including her 86-year-old grandmother, had to evacuate from Paia to stay with her.
“It’s terrifying,” she said. “We never have to learn the lessons of Lahaina twice; that’s never something we need to learn once again. But from my house I’m watching my hometown burn.” “It’s terrifying,” she said. “We never have to learn the lessons of Lahaina twice; that’s never something we need to learn once again. But from my house I’m watching my home town burn.”
Paia resident Rod Antone said he was working in a county building in Wailuku where he listened to radio updates but didn’t hear the sirens. In the hours before the wildfire engulfed Lahaina in 2023, Maui county officials failed to activate sirens. Paia resident Rod Antone said he was working in a county building in Wailuku where he listened to radio updates but didn’t hear the sirens. In the hours before the wildfire engulfed Lahaina in 2023, Maui county officials failed to activate emergency sirens.
Antone noted that winds didn’t feel particularly strong Tuesday, unlike in August 2023 when wind-whipped flames burned Lahaina and left 102 people dead. But like Lahaina, Paia is surrounded by dry brush, he said. Antone noted that winds didn’t feel particularly strong on Tuesday, unlike in August 2023, when wind-whipped flames burned Lahaina and left 102 people dead. But like Lahaina, Paia is surrounded by dry brush, he said.