Authorities reported that at least 96 people were killed in the wildfires in Maui, Hawaii. The governor explained during a press conference that the number of deaths is likely to continue to rise. This is one of the deadliest fires in the United States in the last 100 years, according to an investigation by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Incendios forestales en la ... by Williams Perdomo
The tragic wildfire in Maui is now one of the deadliest in U.S. history. With four deadly U.S. wildfires occurring since 2017, read more about the devastating trend facing communities here and around the world. https://t.co/cANi7NUFMQ
— NFPA (@NFPA) August 12, 2023
Maui's devastation is seen from aerial footage, after deadly wildfires tore through large parts of the island https://t.co/xINnkD98Bt pic.twitter.com/cTFkoO7pSG
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 13, 2023
"The devastation is immense and unprecedented"
Maui County explained that firefighters are working to put out fires in Lahaina. Meanwhile, the Hawaii Tourism Authority revealed that people have suffered unprecedented damage to their homes. The organization issued a statement saying: "The devastation in Lahaina is immense and unprecedented. The extent of the damage affecting residents, families and area businesses has yet to be fully understood. Experts have warned that hazardous materials are likely present. The area most affected by the wildfires is off limits to the public."
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said the search for victims continues. He asked the public to be patient and insisted that the authorities want to do their jobs as best as they can. "We know we’ve got to go quick, but we’ve got to do it right," said Pelletier.
Similarly, the state attorney general, Anne Lopez, reported that she will conduct a thorough review of the decision-making and policies that were implemented to combat the wildfires in Maui. "My Department is committed to understanding the decisions that were made before and during the wildfires and to sharing with the public the results of this review," Lopez said in a statement.
Attorney General Lopez announces the initiation of a comprehensive review of decision-making concerning Hawaii wildfireshttps://t.co/zVPsHg0FFO
— Hawaii AG Anne E. Lopez (@AtghIgov) August 12, 2023
Maui's emergency sirens failed to alert residents of an approaching fire. HI-EMA spokesperson Dan Rapkoch told Axios, "Neither Maui nor the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) activated warning sirens for residents."
