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Here's a look at what Maui looked like before and after the deadly wildfires

Here's a look at what Maui looked like before and after the deadly wildfires
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Here's a look at what Maui looked like before and after the deadly wildfires
Satellite images show the extent of the devastation caused by this week's deadly wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui.Dozens of people died and hundreds of structures were obliterated in the fires, which were fueled by a dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane. Flames ripped through the historic town of Lahaina and sent some residents fleeing into the ocean. The Coast Guard said it rescued 14 people who had jumped into the water to escape the flames and smoke.Use the slider tool below to see what Lahaina looked like from above in June compared to a satellite image taken Thursday.The death toll could rise as rescuers begin to reach parts of the island that were inaccessible while crews battled three ongoing fires. The Lahaina fire was 80% contained on Thursday, according to Maui County officials."We are still in life preservation mode," Adam Weintraub, a spokesperson for Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, told the Associated Press on Thursday.Hurricane Dora, which passed Hawaii far to the south, fanned the flames of the fires, which moved quickly. Some experts say climate change is increasing the likelihood of extreme weather and related disasters.President Joe Biden declared a major disaster on Maui on Thursday and pledged a federal response to the devastation there. Biden promised to streamline requests for assistance and said the Federal Emergency Management Agency was “surging emergency personnel” on the island.The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Satellite images show the extent of the devastation caused by this week's deadly wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

Dozens of people died and hundreds of structures were obliterated in the fires, which were fueled by a dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane. Flames ripped through the historic town of Lahaina and sent some residents fleeing into the ocean.

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The Coast Guard said it rescued 14 people who had jumped into the water to escape the flames and smoke.

Use the slider tool below to see what Lahaina looked like from above in June compared to a satellite image taken Thursday.

The death toll could rise as rescuers begin to reach parts of the island that were inaccessible while crews battled three ongoing fires. The Lahaina fire was 80% contained on Thursday, according to Maui County officials.



"We are still in life preservation mode," Adam Weintraub, a spokesperson for Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, told the Associated Press on Thursday.

Hurricane Dora, which passed Hawaii far to the south, fanned the flames of the fires, which moved quickly. Some experts say climate change is increasing the likelihood of extreme weather and related disasters.

This combination of satellite images provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of Lahaina on Maui, Hawaii, on June 25, 2023, left, and an overview of the same area on Wednesday, Aug. 9, following a wildfire that tore through the heart of the Hawaiian island. (Maxar Technologies via AP)
Maxar Technologies via AP
This combination of satellite images provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of Lahaina on Maui, Hawaii, on June 25, 2023, left, and an overview of the same area on Wednesday, Aug. 9, following a wildfire that tore through the heart of the Hawaiian island. (Maxar Technologies via AP)

President Joe Biden declared a major disaster on Maui on Thursday and pledged a federal response to the devastation there. Biden promised to streamline requests for assistance and said the Federal Emergency Management Agency was “surging emergency personnel” on the island.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.