Austin Texas News

Canada has seen a record number of wildfires this year — contributing to choking smoke in parts of the U.S.

The fire began late Tuesday in the north of the island and has forced authorities in eight municipalities to order the evacuation of more than 4,500 people and the confinement of thousands more.

The death toll in Maui has risen to 114. Meanwhile, a resident criticized an official’s decision to not sound emergency sirens as the flames spread. Jonathan Vigliotti has more.

Residents in Los Angeles and other parts of Southern California are bracing for a tropical storm. Hurricane Hilary is expected to weaken before it makes landfall, but this will be the first tropical storm in the area since 1939. Carter Evans reports on what to expect.

Millions on the West Coast are preparing for rain and wind ahead of a forecast that projects Hurricane Hilary weakening to a tropical storm. Meanwhile, Maui residents work to recover from massive wildfires as the death toll rises to at least 114. All that and all that matters in today’s Eye Opener.

Several hundred federal search and rescue personnel are using dozens of cadaver dogs to comb the Lahaina burn area for human remains.

Hurricane Hilary, which has reached Category 4 status, could be the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 1939. It has also prompted the National Weather Service to issue the region’s first ever tropical storm watch. With flooding a major concern, beach communities Friday were building berms, and emergency managers were trying to anticipate where resources would be most needed. Carter Evans has the latest.

A local boat captain in Lahaina is being hailed as a hero after she rescued two children from wildfires. CBS News correspondent Lilia Luciano reports on the captain’s story and gives an update on search and recovery efforts across Maui.

Southern California is under its first-ever tropical storm watch as Hurricane Hilary makes its way toward the area. Weather Channel meteorologist Jacqui Jeras has the latest on the hurricane’s path. Plus, Chris Heiser, emergency services director for the city of San Diego, joins CBS News to discuss how officials are preparing.

A wildfire in northern Canada’s Northwest Territories on Friday was nearing the region’s capital city of Yellowknife, as the entire city of about 20,000 has been ordered to evacuate.

Tornadoes touched down in several areas of Rhode Island and Massachusetts Friday, downing trees and power lines. There was no word of any injuries.

Herman Andaya, the head of the Maui Emergency Management Agency, resigned Thursday a day after he defended his decision not to activate the warning sirens as wildfires burned down portions of the island. The resignation comes as officials continue their search for victims. CBS News producer Elizabeth Campbell has more from Maui.

Sixty local restaurants are teaming up to donate a percentage of their profits Saturday to the Maui Food Bank. Austin food blogger Amanda Wong is organizing the fundraiser to support the island, which experienced the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than 100 years last week. Wong had planned to travel to Maui in September. She canceled her trip after the wildfire broke out but wanted to support the rebuilding efforts from afar. Last Friday, she…

“We’re heading into a critical couple of days,” Shane Thompson, a government minister for the Territories, said at a news conference.

The National Hurricane Center upgraded Hilary to a Category 4 hurricane. The storm is headed toward Southern California. It’s expected to hit the U.S. as a tropical storm, bringing significant flood risks throughout the Southwest. The Weather Channel meteorologist Alex Wallace has the latest.