A potent mix of high winds from Hurricane Dora, low humidity levels and a high pressure system over the North Pacific has created deadly fire conditions in Hawaii, killing six and forcing hundred of evacuations and power losses throughout the islands.
Hurricane Dora, which was a Category 4 storm at 5 a.m. HST Wednesday, is passing roughly 800 miles south-southwest of Hawaii, spinning off powerful winds that have fed the flames on the islands.
Live updates:‘Apocalyptic’: People scramble for safety as Hawaii wildfires rage; 6 dead in Maui. Live updates
“These strong winds coupled with low humidity levels are producing dangerous fire weather conditions that will last through Wednesday afternoon,” the National Weather Service said Wednesday.
Where the fires are located
As of Wednesday, multiple structures had burned and evacuation orders were in place, per Maui County officials. In West Maui, more than 12,400 customers were without power and at least 30 power lines were damaged as crews scrambled to restore service, Hawaii News Now reported.
As of 3:15 a.m. local time (9:15 a.m. EDT), Maui County Emergency Management downgraded the high wind warning to a wind advisory as both the hurricane and the high pressure system to the north continue to move westward.
USA TODAY reporter N’dea Yancey-Bragg contributed to this report.
