The fires, which began on Tuesday, have destroyed entire neighborhoods and left the town of Lahaina in ruins.

Governor Josh Green has described the fires as "catastrophic" and said that the process of rebuilding will take many years. "Witnessing the complete destruction of Lahaina is truly shocking," Green said. "The scene resembles the aftermath of an explosion, and virtually every one of those structures will need to be reconstructed."

Returning residents have encountered scenes of desolation in their neighborhoods. Burnt-out car wrecks, pavement marked with the traces of melted and then rehardened chrome, and charred telephone poles are now part of the landscape. Where apartment buildings once stood, ashy lots are now marked by elevator shafts jutting upwards. Amidst this destruction, a truck bed is laden with glass bottles contorted into surreal shapes by the intense heat of the flames.

The cause of the fires is still under investigation, but authorities believe that they may have been sparked by lightning strikes. The fires have been fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, and they have spread rapidly.

The Red Cross has set up shelters for those who have been displaced by the fires, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has offered assistance to the state of Hawaii.

The wildfires on Maui are the most destructive in the history of the island state. They have caused widespread devastation and loss of life, and they will have a long-lasting impact on the community. (ILKHA)

https://ilkha.com/english/world/hawaii-wildfires-claim-55-lives-prompting-major-disaster-declaration-344258