As the deadly wildfires continue to rage on Maui, their impacts are being felt far and wide, including in the Bay Area. Flight cancellations at Bay Area airports have disrupted travel plans, and returning travelers bring with them harrowing stories of narrowly escaping the devastation.
Selin Uyarer, a San Jose resident, arrived at SFO on Thursday morning from Maui. She was vacationing with her family and staying at an Airbnb when the wildfires broke out. Uyarer recalls how rapidly the situation escalated, leading to a hasty evacuation as their Airbnb was completely destroyed.
Another woman, fleeing from Maui after the wildfire began, spoke of the complete destruction she witnessed and the loss suffered by local residents.
Desiree Baker, a long-term resident of Maui since the 1970s, arrived at SFO from the island on Thursday morning. She was about to embark on a vacation in Europe but brought with her heart-wrenching stories of devastation and loss back in Maui.
Flight delays further compounded the situation. Baker recounts a delay of about 24 hours with no provision of food, lodging, or cars. With hotels and Airbnbs fully booked, many were left to sleep on the airport floor.
Caroline Denis, a Bay Area resident who was in Maui for a friend’s wedding, described the fear and desperation when the fire was closing in. Seeing the fire progressing fast, the urgency to evacuate was paramount.
With 36 people confirmed dead, many more people unaccounted for, and at least 270 buildings destroyed in Lahaina alone, the wildfires’ toll on Maui is tragic. These stories underscore the severity of the disaster and the need for swift and effective disaster response.