Fire in Hawaii kills more than 80 people
Listen to the story (American accent)
The wildfires in Maui, Hawaii have killed more than 80 people and destroyed more than 1,000 buildings.
The fire started in the town of Kula and spread to Lahaina, a historic resort town. Some people did not get any warning before the fire.
The island has emergency sirens to warn people about natural disasters, but people say they didn’t work this time.
The fire moved very quickly, but it is now 85% contained. However, there are two other wildfires on the island.
The disaster began Tuesday night when somebody reported a small fire in Kula which quickly spread to Lahaina.
Some residents began evacuating, but others were told to stay home. The fire spread through the town very quickly. Some people had to jump into the ocean to escape the flames.
The evacuation from Lahaina was difficult because it is a coastal town next to hills. Because of the fire, there were also communication problems. It was hard for people to get information about the evacuation.
The fire has caused billions of dollars in damage, and it will take many years to rebuild Lahaina. Thousands of people are now homeless.
Police have barricaded some of Lahaina because the burnt areas are very toxic. Health officials say that breathing in the dirty air is hazardous.
The government is investigating how the fire started and why it spread so quickly. They are also studying how to improve evacuations in the future.
Vocabulary32 words
- Wildfire
- A big fire that quickly spreads in nature
- Destroy
- to “end” something by damaging it or attacking it; wreck; demolish; break
- Spread
- to open out; to extend over an area; to move apart to cover a bigger area
- Historic
- Important or significant and will be remembered for a long time
- Resort town
- A place where many people visit for vacations and fun
- Warning
- a message that alerts/informs people about a dangerous situation or a possible threat
- Emergency
- a dangerous/serious and sudden/unexpected situation
- Siren
- A loud noise that alerts people about danger or emergencies
- Warn
- to tell someone about something bad or dangerous that might happen; alert; notify
- Natural disaster
- A big and powerful event in nature that causes damage, like a storm or earthquake
- Contain
- To stop something from spreading; to keep something inside a specific area and not let it spread
- Disaster
- A sudden and terrible event, such as an earthquake, flood, or fire, that causes great harm and damage
- Report
- to tell other people about something; to share information; announce; explain
- Resident
- a person who lives in a specific place; a person who lives somewhere
- Evacuate
- to leave; to get out of; to make people leave; to remove people
- Escape
- To get away from danger or something scary;
- Flame
- A hot, bright part of a fire
- Coastal
- Near the ocean or sea, by the shore; area of land near water
- Communication
- Sharing messages or information with others
- Cause
- make something (usually bad) happen; create
- Billion
- 1,000,000,000 = one-billion
- Damage
- physical harm that is done to something; destruction; injury;
- Rebuild
- To build something again after it has been destroyed
- Homeless
- to have no place to live
- Barricade
- Something that blocks a path or entrance; A barrier that is used to stop people from going through a place
- Burnt
- Something that has been burned; When something gets damaged by fire
- Toxic
- poisonous, harmful and dangerous to living things
- Official
- a person who works for the government or a government company and has power or authority; officer; executive
- Breathe in
- to take air into your lungs/body
- Hazardous
- dangerous
- Government
- the group of people who have the authority to make and enforce laws and manage a country or region; the people/group that manage and operate a country
- Investigate
- to research; to study; to find out more
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The wildfires in Maui, _____ have killed more than 80 people and destroyed more than 1,000 _____.
The fire started in the _____ of Kula and spread to Lahaina, a historic resort town. Some people did not get any _____ before the fire.
The island has emergency sirens to warn people about _____ disasters, but people say they didn’t work this time.
The _____ moved very quickly, but it is now 85% contained. However, there are two other _____ on the island.
The disaster _____ Tuesday night when somebody reported a small fire in Kula which quickly _____ to Lahaina.
Some residents began evacuating, but _____ were told to stay home. The fire spread through the town very _____. Some people had to jump into the ocean to escape _____ flames.
The evacuation from Lahaina was difficult _____ it is a coastal town next to hills. Because of the fire, there were also _____ problems. It was hard for people to get information _____ the evacuation.
The fire has caused billions of _____ in damage, and it will take many years to rebuild Lahaina. Thousands of people are now _____.
Police have barricaded some of Lahaina because the burnt areas are very toxic. Health officials say that _____ in the dirty air is hazardous.
The government is investigating how the fire _____ and why it spread so quickly. They are also studying how to _____ evacuations in the future.
Discussion questions
- Do you think it's better for people to evacuate early, even if they're not sure if the danger will reach them, or should they wait for more information?
- What kind of preparations do you think coastal towns should make to deal with the possibility of natural disasters like wildfires or tsunamis?
- What is the role of the government in helping people who have been affected by wildfires?
- If you were in a situation like this, what would be the most important items you'd want to take with you during an evacuation?
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