A brush fire that blew through 3,000 acres of Hawaii on Thursday forced residents in parts of the island of Maui to evacuate as firefighters fought the blaze.
Emergency officials ordered residents of Maalaea and north Kihei in Maui’s central valley to go to designated shelters as the fire that had started that morning spread, Maui County said in a statement. No injuries or significant property damage had been reported Thursday evening in what firefighters called “a very dynamic situation.”
Residents in the town of Maalaea and parts of Kihei were sent an evacuation notice on their phones, and flights to the island were diverted, CNN reports.
Some individuals took to Twitter to share updates of the fireplace and ask Winfrey for assist.
“@Oprah Maui is on fire consider opening the ranch road so we can get upcountry,” one resident wrote.
“@Oprah there’s an enormous brush hearth on Maui proper now! Persons are making an attempt to evacuate Kihei-my husband and son included!” another person tweeted. “In case you would kindly share the code to your gate/street, of us can evacuate by Kula.”
Winfrey responded that she had given immediate access to her private road.
“Hi there Jack, Access to the road was given to county officials immediately. This was many hours ago. Hoping for the safety of all,” she wrote.
Hi there Jack, Access to the road was given to county officials immediately. This was many hours ago. Hoping for the safety of all. 🙏🏾 https://t.co/BxsPNUkkJC
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) July 12, 2019
Hawaii Governor, David Ige, thanked Oprah Winfrey for giving county officials access to her private road near her home. The former talk-show host had written on Twitter that she was on the island last week to share a meal with members of Weight Watchers, which she partly owns.
“A big mahalo to @Oprah for giving @mauicounty access to your private road for use to assist in the #Mauifire,” Ige wrote on Twitter late Thursday.
Maui is Hawaii’s second largest island.
