Thousands told to leave their homes on Hawaii’s Maui Island as wildfires burn across 30,000 acres and send flames and smoke billowing into sky

(Daily Mail) – Thousands of people on Hawaii’s Maui Island have been ordered to evacuate from two communities after a spreading wildfire sent smoke billowing into the sky. Mayor Mike Victorino said the 3,000-acre brush fire in Maui’s central valley was uncontrolled on Thursday night but it was too dangerous for fire crews to battle it in the dark.

Water drops by air were scheduled to resume today to try and stop the fires from spreading any further, reported MauiToday. ‘We can’t fight the fire tonight,’ he said. ‘We’re not going to send any firefighters into harm’s way.’ A National Weather Service satellite photo showing smoke hanging over the island was posted on local media and social media sites. The brush fire was reported about 10.30am local time yesterday and winds of up to 20mph fanned the flames. READ MORE