The number of people who died due to forest fires in Hawaii reached 53 people

Forest fires on the tourist island of Maui in the Hawaiian archipelago have claimed the lives of 53 people, the authorities of the island report. The bulk of the damage was seen in Lahaina, north of Maui. The fire has been burning on the island for three days. Gov. Josh Green told CNN that as rescuers combed hundreds of burned buildings, the death toll was "significantly higher" than the initial estimate of 36. According to him, more than 1,700 houses were destroyed. The island administration said that 80 percent of the fire in Lahaina was contained. Access to the city is restricted while the fire is being extinguished, and the city has been cut off from electricity. Overnight, 1,050 people were housed at the military museum and community center, while another 300 residents remained in emergency evacuation sites set up at Maui's Royal Cathedral and Christian Church. US President Joe Biden signed a declaration of disaster relief against the background of forest fires in Hawaii. According to the declaration, money will be allocated from the federal budget for the victims of the fire in Maui County. Natural fires started on the island on August 8. The fire engulfed the buildings and spread to other houses under the influence of strong wind. Some local residents had to throw themselves into the ocean to escape the fire. Due to thick smoke covering the streets, residents could hardly see the surroundings and left the city in cars.