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National Guard Takes On Maui Wildfires

Aug. 10, 2023 |DOD News

A dry summer coupled with strong winds from a nearby hurricane have spread destructive, fast-moving wildfires, leaving more than 30 people dead and destroying hundreds of structures on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

The blaze began Tuesday, forcing some residents to quickly seek shelter by diving into the ocean. The Hawaii National Guard is providing support to authorities on the island.


01:00
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Personnel and vehicles are transported in a military helicopter.
Personnel and vehicles are transported in a military helicopter.
Wildfire Response
Honolulu Fire Department vehicles and personnel travel in a C-17 Globemaster III heading from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, to assist with wildfire response in Maui, Aug. 10, 2023.
Download: Full Size (1.22 MB)
Photo By: Air National Guard Staff Sgt. John Linzmeier
VIRIN: 230810-Z-GR156-1082Y

Fighting Fire From Above

02:11
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VIDEO | 02:11 | Hawaii Army National Guard provides water bucket support for wildfires on Maui
02:14
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VIDEO | 02:14 | Hawaii Army National Guard provides water bucket support for wildfires on Maui - Part 2

Two military aircraft perform aerial water bucket drops to battle wildfires in Hawaii.
Two military aircraft perform aerial water bucket drops to battle wildfires in Hawaii.
Hawaii Wildfire Support
Two Hawaii Army National Guard CH47 Chinook helicopters perform aerial water bucket drops on the island of Maui, Hawaii to fight wildfires, August 9, 2023.
Download: Full Size (6.8 MB)
Photo By: Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew Jackson
VIRIN: 230809-Z-IX631-1589
An aerial view from a military aircraft of a wildfire burning in Hawaii.
An aerial view from a military aircraft of a wildfire burning in Hawaii.
Hawaii Wildfire Support
An aerial view from a military aircraft of a wildfire burning in Maui, Hawaii, August 9, 2023. The National Guard is participating in aerial water bucket drops to battle the fire.
Download: Full Size (8.97 MB)
Photo By: Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew Jackson
VIRIN: 230809-Z-IX631-1413

A military aircraft participates in an aerial water bucket drop to fight a wildfire.
A military aircraft participates in an aerial water bucket drop to fight a wildfire.
Hawaii Wildfire Support
A military aircraft participates in an aerial water bucket drop to fight a wildfire on the island of Maui, Hawaii, August 9, 2023.
Download: Full Size (7.93 MB)
Photo By: Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew Jackson
VIRIN: 230809-Z-IX631-1179
A military aircraft participates in an aerial water bucket drop to battle a wildfire.
A military aircraft participates in an aerial water bucket drop to battle a wildfire.
Hawaii Wildfire Support
A military aircraft participates in an aerial water bucket drop to battle a wildfire in Maui, Hawaii, August 9, 2023.
Download: Full Size (5.95 MB)
Photo By: Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew Jackson
VIRIN: 230809-Z-IX631-1316
A military aircraft drops water over a wildfire.
A military aircraft drops water over a wildfire.
Hawaii Wildfire Support
A Hawaii Army National Guard CH47 Chinook helicopter participates in an aerial water bucket drop in Maui, Hawaii to assist in the fight against wildfires, August 9, 2023.
Download: Full Size (7.71 MB)
Photo By: Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew Jackson
VIRIN: 230809-Z-IX631-1306

Guardsmen supported the firefighting efforts, Tuesday, by doing 58 aerial water drops of more than 100,000 gallons of water. 

A service member looks out the window of a military aircraft.
A service member looks out the window of a military aircraft.
Hawaii Wildfire Support
A service member looks out the window of a military aircraft during aerial water bucket drops to fight wildfires in Maui, Hawaii, August 9, 2023.
Download: Full Size (3.96 MB)
Photo By: Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew Jackson
VIRIN: 230809-Z-IX631-1463
A service member looks through an opening on a military aircraft during an aerial water bucket drop over a wildfire.
A service member looks through an opening on a military aircraft during an aerial water bucket drop over a wildfire.
Hawaii Wildfire Support
A service member looks through an opening on a military aircraft during an aerial water bucket drop over Maui, Hawaii, August 9, 2023. The National Guard has been activated to assist in fighting wildfires on the island.
Download: Full Size (5.77 MB)
Photo By: Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew Jackson
VIRIN: 230809-Z-IX631-1563

All Hands on Deck

The Coast Guard is also participating in the effort. Crews responded to reports of residents needing to be rescued from the water after seeking refuge from the fire and smoke.

A small boat is lifted onto a Coast Guard vessel.
A small boat is lifted onto a Coast Guard vessel.
Wildfire Response
Coast Guard Cutter Juniper crew members load 29-foot response boats to transfer them to Maui, Hawaii, to assist in the Lahaina wildfire response, Aug. 10, 2023.
Download: Full Size (1.26 MB)
Photo By: Coast Guard Seaman Chris Bokum
VIRIN: 230810-G-UE432-7498Y
A crew member watches as a small boat is loaded onto a Coast Guard vessel.
A crew member watches as a small boat is loaded onto a Coast Guard vessel.
Wildfire Response
Coast Guard Cutter Juniper crew members load 29-foot response boats in Honolulu to transfer them to Maui, Hawaii to assist in the Lahaina wildfire response, Aug. 10, 2023.
Download: Full Size (1.2 MB)
Photo By: Coast Guard Seaman Chris Bokum
VIRIN: 230810-G-UE432-7756Y

Spotlight: DOD Support for U.S. Response to Wildfires in Hawaii Spotlight: DOD Support for U.S. Response to Wildfires in Hawaii: https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Hawaii-Wildfire-Support/

Link: Maui Wildfires on DVIDS
wildfires humanitarian hawaii hawaii wildfires

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