Wildfires in Maui Leave Devastation in Their Wake
The wild fires tearing through Maui have left a trail of destruction in their wake, with at least 55 people dead and the historic town of Lahaina completely razed to the ground. Officials have stated that the damage caused by the fires will likely take years to repair and cost billions of dollars.
Maui County Police Chief John Pelletier has warned residents to refrain from returning to Lahaina until the deceased have been recovered, as the death toll is expected to rise. Speaking at a news conference, Hawaii Governor Josh Green (D) connected the fires to global warming, stating, “Climate change is here and it’s affecting the islands.”
As of Thursday, none of the four major fires that erupted on Maui on Tuesday have been fully contained, according to Maui County Fire Chief Bradford Ventura. He cautioned that there is still a “potential for rapid fire behavior” and urged the public to stay alert.
In response to the devastating situation, President Biden declared a “major disaster” in Hawaii on Thursday and ordered federal aid to areas affected by the wildfires. Over 130 Hawaii National Guard members have been activated, and helicopters are currently searching for those left behind in areas without power and accessible roads.
Nearly 11,000 people on Maui remain without power, and it could take weeks to months to restore power in some of the affected areas, according to PowerOutage.us. Governor Green has called on people across the state of Hawaii to consider temporarily housing residents who have lost their homes in the fires, stating, “If you have the capacity to take someone in from west Maui, please do.”
The extent of the damage to structures in Lahaina remains unclear. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen stated, “At this point, the number doesn’t matter because the whole thing is gone. I’m telling you, nothing is there.”
The situation in Maui is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of wildfires and the urgent need to address climate change. As the fires continue to rage, the focus remains on containing the flames and providing support to those affected by this tragic event.
How is the PAA assisting in the recovery efforts following the devastating wildfires in Maui’s historic town of Lahaina?
The aftermath of the wildfires in Maui has resulted in significant devastation, with the historic town of Lahaina completely destroyed and a death toll of at least 55 people. Officials estimate that repairing the damage caused by the fires will require years of work and could cost billions of dollars.
My prayers go out to the victims and their families. This is absolutely heartbreaking.