LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — The residents of Lahaina, Hawaii, were allowed to return home on Friday for the first time since wildfires devastated the town, leaving behind a scene of destruction and ash. The wildfires, which have killed at least 55 people, turned the centuries-old town into a hellscape of rubble and charred remains.
Associated Press journalists witnessed the devastation, with nearly every building flattened to debris on Front Street, the heart of the Maui community and the economic hub of the island. The aftermath of the fire included incinerated cars crushed by downed telephone poles, charred elevator shafts, and pools filled with charcoal-colored water. Trampolines and children’s scooters were mangled by the extreme heat.
Residents described the speed at which the fire spread as incredible, comparing the scene to a war zone. Many survivors reported not receiving any warning before they saw flames or heard explosions nearby. Hawaii emergency management records show no indication that warning sirens sounded before people had to evacuate. Instead, alerts were sent to mobile phones, televisions, and radio stations, but widespread power and cellular outages may have limited their reach.
Governor Josh Green warned that the death toll would likely rise as search and rescue operations continue. He also announced that Lahaina residents would be allowed to return to check on their property and access essential services. However, he emphasized the dangers of the area and urged caution.
The wildfires on Maui were fueled by a dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane. The most serious fire swept into Lahaina on Tuesday, leaving behind a grid of gray rubble between the ocean and green slopes. Buildings were reduced to skeletal remains, palm trees were torched, and boats in the harbor were scorched.
The blaze in Lahaina is the deadliest U.S. wildfire since the 2018 Camp Fire in California, which killed at least 85 people. Cadaver-sniffing dogs were brought in to assist in the search for remains. Lahaina’s wildfire risk was well known, as identified in Maui County’s hazard mitigation plan. The plan also noted the high rate of households without vehicles and non-English speakers in West Maui, which may have limited the population’s ability to receive and understand warnings.
Maui’s firefighting efforts may have been hampered by a small staff and limited resources. The county has a maximum of 65 firefighters responsible for fighting fires on three islands, but they lack off-road vehicles, making it difficult to attack brush fires before they reach populated areas.
Despite the devastation, residents like Lana Vierra are eager to return to Lahaina to assess the damage and begin the process of moving forward. Vierra, who raised five children in the town, hopes that being on her burnt grounds will bring some peace and clarity as she plans for the future.
As the recovery efforts continue, Lahaina and its residents face a long and complicated road ahead. The community will need support and resources to rebuild and recover from this devastating natural disaster.Deadly Wildfires Devastate Lahaina, Hawaii
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — The town of Lahaina in Hawaii is reeling from the aftermath of deadly wildfires that have left at least 55 people dead and large portions of the town in ruins. Residents were allowed to return home on Friday for the first time since the fires broke out, only to find a hellscape of destruction.
Front Street, the heart of the Maui community and the economic hub of the island, has been reduced to debris. Nearly every building has been flattened, with incinerated cars crushed by downed telephone poles and charred elevator shafts standing as testaments to the burned-down apartment buildings they once served. Pools are filled with charcoal-colored water, and trampolines and children’s scooters are mangled by the extreme heat.
“It hit so quick, it was incredible,” said Lahaina resident Kyle Scharnhorst. “It was like a war zone.”
The wildfires, fueled by a dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane, erupted on Maui earlier this week. The most serious fire swept into Lahaina on Tuesday, leaving the town in ruins. Palm trees were torched, boats in the harbor were scorched, and the stench of burning lingers in the air.
Survivors of the wildfires have expressed frustration over the lack of warning they received. Many said they didn’t hear any sirens or receive a warning that gave them enough time to prepare. Instead, officials sent alerts to mobile phones, televisions, and radio stations, but widespread power and cellular outages may have limited their reach.
Hawaii emergency management records show no indication that warning sirens sounded before people had to run for their lives. Lynn Robinson, who lost her home in the fire, said, “There was no warning. There was absolutely none. Nobody came around. We didn’t see a fire truck or anybody.”
Governor Josh Green warned that the death toll is likely to rise as search and rescue operations continue. He also announced that Lahaina residents would be allowed to return to check on their property and access essential services. However, a curfew has been set from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. Saturday.
The Lahaina wildfire is the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaii since a 1960 tsunami that killed 61 people. The state’s hazard mitigation plan had identified Lahaina and other West Maui communities as having frequent wildfires and a large number of buildings at risk of wildfire damage. However, the plan also noted that the area had a high rate of households without a vehicle and non-English speakers, which may have limited the population’s ability to receive and understand warnings.
Maui’s firefighting efforts may have been hampered by a small staff and limited resources. The Maui County Fire Department has a maximum of 65 firefighters working at any given time, responsible for fighting fires on three islands. The department does not have off-road vehicles, which means fire crews can’t attack brush fires thoroughly before they reach roads or populated areas.
As residents begin to return to Lahaina, they face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. Lana Vierra, who lost her home, said, “To actually stand there on your burnt grounds and get your wheels turning on how to move forward — I think it will give families that peace.”
The recovery process is expected to be complicated, but authorities are urging residents to assess their properties safely. The full extent of the damage and the impact on the community will become clearer in the coming days.
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Kelleher reported from Honolulu. Contributing writers: Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho; Andrew Selsky in Bend, Oregon; Bobby Caina Calvan and Beatrice Dupuy in New York; Chris Megerian in Salt Lake City; Audrey McAvoy in Wailuku, Hawaii; and Adam Beam in Sacramento, California.
How did the limited resources and small firefighting staff in Maui County impact the efforts to combat the wildfires in Lahaina?
P.m. to 5 a.m. due to the dangerous conditions.
The devastation in Lahaina is reminiscent of a war zone, with buildings reduced to rubble and the landscape charred and destroyed. Cadaver-sniffing dogs have been brought in to assist in the search for remains.
The wildfires in Lahaina are the deadliest in the United States since the 2018 Camp Fire in California, which claimed the lives of at least 85 people. It is evident that Lahaina’s wildfire risk was known, as identified in Maui County’s hazard mitigation plan, which also highlighted the challenges posed by a high rate of households without vehicles and non-English speakers in West Maui.
Efforts to combat the wildfires in Maui were hampered by a small firefighting staff and limited resources. Maui County only has a maximum of 65 firefighters responsible for fighting fires on three islands, and they lacked off-road vehicles to effectively tackle the brush fires.
Despite the devastation, residents like Lana Vierra are determined to move forward and rebuild their lives. Returning to Lahaina, even in its burnt state, provides a sense of peace and clarity for individuals like Vierra, who raised her children in the town.
The road to recovery in Lahaina will be long and complicated. The community will require support and resources to rebuild and recover from this devastating natural disaster. As the recovery efforts continue, the resilience and determination of the residents of Lahaina will be put to the test.
