Hawaii Gov. Josh Green claimed Sunday that global warming played a major role in the Maui wildfire that destroyed a historic town and has so far killed at least 93 people.
Green spoke about the devastation in the centuries-old town of Lahaina during an appearance on MSNBC’s “The Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart,” describing the wildfire as a “fire hurricane” with gusting 80 mph winds and “1,000-degree heat creating fire cyclones going through buildings.”
“Everything is burnt to the ground in Lahaina,” the Democrat said, calling it a “war zone” that is “completely destroyed.”
Green attributed strong winds from Hurricane Dora, which passed far to the south of the island last week, and very dry drought conditions on Maui to the fast-moving blaze.
HAWAII WILDFIRE BECOMES DEADLIEST US BLAZE IN MORE THAN A CENTURY AS DEATH TOLL REACHES 93, EXPECTED TO GROW
next Image 1 of 2
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, left, and Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen Jr., speak during a tour of wildfire damage on Saturday. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
prev Image 2 of 2
Green, left center, points to damage as he speaks with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell during a tour of wildfire damage on Saturday. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
“When fire jumped from one spot to another – there were three or four fires going on at the same time – it got seeded very quickly with those 80 mph gusted winds,” he said. “And then the fire moved at essentially a mile per minute, 60 mph down through the community.”
Green said the town of Lahaina was “completely destroyed” and looked like a “war zone.” (Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources via AP)
“That’s what a fire hurricane is going to look like in the era of global warming,” Green warned.
Green said global warming is “very real for us and everywhere,” issuing a call for people to do what they can to stop and reverse its effects.
next Image 1 of 3
The wildfire has killed at least 93 people, officials said Saturday, warning that the death toll will likely rise. (Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources via AP)
prev next Image 2 of 3
Green claimed global warming is to blame for the deadly wildfire. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
prev Image 3 of 3
The Lahaina wildfire is the deadliest U.S. blaze in more than a century. (Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources via AP)
The Lahaina fire has become the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. Officials are facing the challenge of identifying the remains that have been recovered so far, because the bodies were turned to ash and are falling apart in their hands.
CHRISTINA HALL REVEALS HER PARENTS WERE FORCED TO EVACUATE AMID DEADLY MAUI WILDFIRES: ‘GRATEFUL THEY ARE OK’
Green also responded to criticism about the island’s siren system failing to warn residents of the approaching fire in time for them to escape.
Green said officials are investigating whether enough was done to activate the siren system in time to warn residents of the fire. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
Thousands of residents fled the town, with video showing some jumping into the Pacific Ocean to escape the inferno.
The governor said officials are looking into whether enough was done to get the sirens activated in time, noting there was mass destruction of telecommunications during the wildfire.
CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Otherwise, we ourselves would have communicated like we always do within seconds on our cellphones,” Green said, adding that “we’ll make sure we get to all the answers that people deserve.”