Wildfires ravaged multiple communities in Hawaii late Tuesday, fueled by strong winds and causing widespread destruction, evacuations, and power outages. The fires were intensified by gusts of over 60 mph, which were partly attributed to the passing Hurricane Dora, located 500 miles south of the island chain. The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning and red flag warnings for dangerous fire weather, exacerbating the already challenging situation for firefighters. The fires, concentrated in West Maui and an inland, mountainous region, were difficult to control due to blocked roads caused by downed trees and power lines. Helicopters were unable to assist in firefighting efforts due to the strong winds. It was unclear how many buildings had been destroyed, but an estimated 13,000 customers in Maui were without power. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen reported that at least two homes were destroyed in the Kula area and around 80 people were evacuated. The situation on Maui was further complicated by the fact that the fires erupted in grasslands, which are more prone to spreading quickly. Fires in Hawaii are relatively rare and tend to be smaller than those on the mainland, but they can cause significant environmental damage. The fires remove vegetation, and subsequent heavy rainfall can wash loose soil into the ocean, potentially smothering coral reefs. The island of Oahu, where Honolulu is located, also experienced power outages, downed power lines, and traffic problems. The weather conditions were expected to improve gradually throughout Wednesday and Thursday.