Wildfires are whipping through Maui, burning historic Lahaina Town. Evacuations have forced some to flee to the beach, where they ran into the water to be rescued by the Coast Guard. 

In a tweet, the County of Maui warned the rest of the population, “Do NOT go to Lahaina Town.” 

The roads in and out of the community were then closed to everyone except emergency personnel. County spokesperson Mahina Martin has said that the fire is widespread in Lahaina, which is Maui’s most popular tourist destination. 

Official details on the extent of possible casualties and the damage to homes and businesses were hard to get a hold of early Wednesday morning, but residents escaping the fire have since posted videos and photos on social media showing the dense smoke and flames as they ensconced the island. 

 According to an emergency proclamation issued by acting Hawaii Governor Sylvia Luke. Hundreds of acres had been destroyed by Tuesday night, leading to the closure of roads and schools in Hawaii and Maui Counties. 

Hawaii County encompasses the Big Island, south of Maui.

At least 4,000 tourists are being moved between the islands in hopes of not getting caught in the fire. Sources from multiple agencies have stated that they may be housed at the Hawaii Convention Center. Hospitals on Maui are overwhelmed with patients who are now suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.

This is being called the worst natural disaster in Hawaii’s history since Hurricane Iniki.

According to Robert Bohlin, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s office in Honolulu, the fires are the product of a coming together of dangerous weather conditions—namely, strong winds, dry vegetation and low humidity.

In a warning to the community, the weather service stated, “Very dry fuels combined with strong and gusty easterly winds and low humidities will produce critical fire weather conditions through the afternoon hours.”