The death toll resulting from the devastating Maui wildfires climbed to 80, as search teams scoured through the remnants of Lahaina, a historic resort town. Amidst the tragedy, officials are grappling with the swift spread of the inferno and the potential lack of adequate warnings to residents.
The deadly fires have become the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaii’s history, surpassing even the toll of a tsunami that claimed 61 lives on the Big Island in 1960, a year after Hawaii’s entry into the United States. Search teams, supported by cadaver dogs, continue their grim work as they sift through the ruins of 1,000 buildings, left smoldering by the flames. The devastation has left thousands homeless and this might take years and billions of dollars to rebuild.
Death toll to rise
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii shared his somber anticipation with MSNBC, stating, “Nobody has entered any of these structures that have burned down and that’s where we unfortunately anticipate that the death toll will rise significantly.”
The Lahaina fire, which originated in the brush and advanced to the town, remains active but is 85% contained, as reported by the county. Two other fires on the island are 80% and 50% contained, respectively.
Amidst the chaos, questions arise regarding the effectiveness of the emergency warning systems. While the island has emergency sirens meant to alert residents of disasters and threats, they apparently didn’t activate during the fire. Governor Josh Green expressed his concern, saying, “I authorized a comprehensive review this morning to make sure that we know exactly what happened and when.”
Warning and Response
Telecommunications challenges compounded the situation, as firefighters engaged in combating other major wildfires when the danger escalated in Lahaina.
Regardless of the circumstances, Green asserted, “We will do all that we can to find out how to protect our people more going forward.”
The rapid progression of the fire made it difficult for frontline responders to communicate with emergency management officials who typically issue real-time evacuation orders. Maui County Fire Chief Bradford Ventura explained, “They were basically self-evacuating with fairly little notice.”
The situation was complex due to Lahaina’s coastal location and proximity to hills, offering limited evacuation routes. Andrew Rumbach, a specialist in climate and communities at the Urban Institute in Washington, described it as a “nightmare scenario,” combining fast-moving flames, densely populated areas, communication difficulties, and challenging evacuation options.
Maui wildfires: Hazardous conditions persist
As Lahaina residents are allowed to return to their homes, Maui’s western side remains without essential resources like power and water. A pedestrian accident led to the highway’s closure in both directions on the Kuihelani Highway.
Despite the progress, officials emphasize that hazardous conditions persist in the burnt areas, and advised residents to wear masks and gloves. Hot spots still present a danger, as Maui County underscores the importance of caution amidst the aftermath.
