Authorities have declared a state of emergency due to widespread wildfires on Maui and Hawaii islands. Evacuations are underway. There are road closures, travel disruptions and flight cancellations. Local authorities recommend visitors leave Maui and strongly discourage non-essential travel to Maui.
If you’re due to travel to Hawaii or Maui
Contact your travel operator or accommodation provider to check that it’s not currently impacted. Monitor the media for updates. Consider changing your travel plans to avoid impacted areas.
If you're in the affected areas
- Follow the advice of local authorities. Monitor the local media for updates.
- Call the US Emergency Services on 911 if you are in immediate danger.
- Contact your family and friends to let them know you're ok. If they're watching events unfold in the news, they may fear for your safety.
- Keep your devices charged while you have access to power.
- Pack an emergency bag in case of evacuation. Include things like water, first aid, essential medication, food, torches and batteries.
- Make sure you have your passport and documents with you.
- If you take medication for breathing difficulties, keep it close at hand. Smoke from wildfires can trigger lung conditions such as asthma.
- Act quickly on evacuation notices. Bushfires can change direction or escalate without warning.
Wildfires often cause power outages and disruptions to other services such as phone, internet and water/sewerage. These can last several hours to several weeks, depending on the extent of the damage. You may not have access to the internet or facilities to charge your phone. Write down essential contacts and emergency numbers. Make sure you can access transport tickets and accommodation booking details offline.
Contact your airline or travel operator for help with departing flights.
For more advice, see our page on what to do during a bushfire.
Advice for family and friends in Australia
It can be frightening to see an emergency unfold in a place your family member or friend is travelling. If you're concerned for their welfare:
- Try to make contact by phone and social media. If you can't make contact at first, be patient and keep trying. Remember that phone networks may be overloaded.
- Contact their travelling companions. Their phone may be out of battery or have no network access.
- Monitor their social media. They might post an update or mark themselves as safe.
- If you still can't make contact and have urgent concerns for their safety, contact the Consular Emergency Centre.
To stay up to date
- Read and subscribe to our travel advice for the USA.
- Follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.