Thousands have fled, driving hundreds of kilometres to safety or waiting in long lines for emergency flights, as the worst fire season on record in Canada showed no signs of easing. Photo: APDozens of people on multiple continents have died. Blazes have reduced homes and businesses to rubble. Thick smoke has darkened skies and carried fine-particle pollution thousands of miles from its source.
The psychological damage, too, can be lifelong. People in the direct path of wildfires may experience post-traumatic stress or struggle with their mental health after losing their loved ones, homes or livelihoods. Across Europe, many areas have experienced a brutally hot summer as global heat records sweltered to all-time record highs in July.
Eventually the wreckage became clear: historic Lahaina had become the site of the deadliest US wildfire in over 100 years. Firefighters managed to limit the damage, with no injuries reported and no houses burned as of Monday, but access remains difficult, especially in steep and craggy mountainous areas. In the meantime, thousands of people on the island were evacuated or ordered to stay indoors.