Saying, quote the fires began on tuesday and are now about 80 contained. The blazes spread quickly, fuelled by strong winds generated by a hurricane over the pacific ocean. Thousands are still in emergency shelters. Visitors are being evacuated from the island. These are the latest pictures we Have Smouldering Ruins and total devastation. The worst destruction has been on the island of maui, where some beachfront areas have been completely levelled. Us President Joe Biden has now declared the wildfires a major disaster. This triggers the release of federal funds to help Recovery Efforts. He spoke earlier. We have just approved a major disaster declaration for hawaii, which will get aid into the hands of people who desperately need the help now. Theyve lost, anyone who has lost a loved one, whose home has been damaged or destroyed, is going to get help immediately. And ive directed that we send support to these brave firefighters and First Responders and Emergency Personnel working arou
aloha why. i m you can see the devastation in lahaina, on front street. with the senator in the mouth. it is tragically gone. many people are suffering. the fidelity numbers will climb today. everyone, love your neighbours and support them because this is devastating for maui. we probably have well over 1000 buildings destroyed. many, many hundreds of families have been displaced. we will rebuild them. the president has already in six hours authorised and approved request for emergency support. it s going to be a long haul. the devastation is behind me and we ll put hobart in front of us. aloha. live now to rich elliott, he s deputy chief of the kititas valley fire authority in washington state, and he s chair of the international association of fire chiefs wildland fire policy committee