Doctor says Maui like a ‘war zone’ straight out of ‘I Am Legend’ after wildfire

Scenes in Maui, Hawaii seemed reminiscent of a ‘war zone’ during the catastrophic wildfires, a doctor who helped burn victims and other injured people said.

Over 1,000 people are feared missing as still-burning fires ripped through the Hawaiian island of Maui this week.

Earlier today, officials confirmed 55 people had been killed, while family members continue to search for loved ones amid reports of bodies being found in the ocean.

Dr Reza Danesh is a board-certified emergency physician who runs an urgent care centre and mobile clinic called MODO Mobile Doctors. He established this medical service with the aim of expanding access to outpatient care in Maui, Hawaii.

The doctor responded swiftly to the devastating wildfires in Maui, preparing his mobile medical clinic with supplies and rushing to Lahaina, a severely affected community.

He worked tirelessly for 14 hours, transporting and treating evacuees, many of whom suffered from burns, asthma, and other health issues exacerbated by the fires.

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The fires had been intensified by strong winds since Tuesday, resulting in dozens of fatalities, injuries, and destruction of medical facilities and pharmacies. Urgent care clinics were also severely damaged, leaving residents with limited medical options.

Dr Danesh described the situation in Maui, particularly in the devastated community of Lahaina, as akin to a “war zone” and reminiscent of scenes from the movie “I Am Legend” with Will Smith.

He mentioned that the aftermath of the wildfires resembled a hot and steamy environment with fires still burning on the sides of the road.

He used a vivid comparison, mentioning that people emerging from the scene looked like “zombies,” covered in ash and appearing as though they were on the verge of collapsing.

When he drove to Lahaina, he told NBC News he “had just walked into a war zone, the hot aftermath with steam and fire still cooking on the side.”

He added: “We’re going down this road, and it was like ‘I Am Legend’ with Will Smith — like zombies, people just coming out covered in scud looking like they’re about to collapse.”

One woman treated for small burns by Dr Danesh had jumped into the ocean to avoid being engulfed in the flames. One of her neighbours also jumped into the ocean but died.

“I heard that story and I was just so sad,” Danesh said. “There she was, keeping her spirits, and her pets had all died, and she had nothing, and I’m taking care of her wounds.”

Dr Danesh conveyed the gravity of the situation and the overwhelming challenges he and the community were facing due to the fires and their impact on people’s health and well-being.

He said he couldn’t shake the image of a tearful man he saw in the rubbles: “You go home and still think about that guy crying. His wife is in the hospital, and he’s looking for his best friend and dog.”

Despite challenges, Maui Memorial Medical Center treated numerous fire-related injuries, and medical personnel displayed remarkable dedication even in the face of personal losses.

The wildfires have caused widespread damage, leaving thousands displaced and many buildings destroyed. Meanwhile, a spreadsheet created by Maui resident Ellie Erickson has been vital for people trying to track down their loved ones.

Nearly 3,400 names are on the sheet, with individuals listing ‘found’ when they locate the person. At the time of writing, just under 1,500 are ‘not located,’ according to this list.

Hundreds of photographs of missing people and long lists of names can also be seen documenting where people have sought refuge after the fires.

But the death toll is expected to rise and authorities are using dogs to find human remains with teams from California and Washington states dispatched to help.