Hawaii’s Deadliest Wildfire in a Century Claims at Least 89 Lives

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — A devastating wildfire that tore through the town of Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui has claimed the lives of at least 89 people, making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire in the past century. The death toll is expected to rise as federal emergency workers continue their search and recovery efforts.

The fire, which started four days ago, destroyed hundreds of homes and transformed the once lush and tropical area into a desolate landscape of ash. Governor Josh Green described it as the worst natural disaster in Hawaii’s history. The damage is estimated to be close to $6 billion, with at least 2,200 buildings damaged or destroyed in West Maui alone.

While the fire in Lahaina was the most destructive, there have been other fires burning in different parts of Maui. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported in those areas. Emergency managers are now working to find shelter for the thousands of people who have been displaced by the fires.

Survivors of the fire are counting their blessings but also mourning the loss of loved ones. Retired fire captain Geoff Bogar and his friend Franklin Trejos were initially trying to save homes in Lahaina when they realized they had to evacuate. Bogar managed to escape, but Trejos tragically lost his life. Another resident, Bill Wyland, narrowly escaped on his motorcycle, describing the scene as something out of a horror movie.

The death toll from this wildfire surpasses that of the 2018 Camp Fire in California, which claimed 85 lives. The last time Hawaii experienced a natural disaster of this magnitude was in 1960 when a tsunami killed 61 people. The state’s emergency management records do not indicate that warning sirens were sounded before the fire hit Lahaina, although alerts were sent to mobile phones, televisions, and radio stations.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is believed to have been fueled by dry conditions and strong winds from a passing hurricane. The town of Lahaina had been identified as a high-risk area for wildfires in the county’s hazard mitigation plan.

Maui’s firefighting efforts were hindered by limited staff and equipment. The Hawaii Firefighters Association has called for a review of policies and procedures to improve safety in light of the changing climate and the increased risk of fire-related disasters.

As the community of Lahaina begins the long process of recovery, residents are left grappling with the unimaginable loss and devastation caused by the deadliest wildfire in recent U.S. history.Deadliest Wildfire in a Century Claims 89 Lives in Maui, Hawaii

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — A devastating wildfire that tore through the town of Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui this week has resulted in the deaths of at least 89 people, making it the deadliest wildfire in the United States in the past century. The fire, which started four days ago, destroyed hundreds of homes and transformed the once lush and tropical area into a desolate landscape of ash.

Federal emergency workers, equipped with axes and cadaver dogs, have been combing through the aftermath of the blaze, marking the ruins of homes with bright orange X’s for an initial search and HR when human remains are found. The search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with authorities predicting that the death toll will continue to rise.

Governor Josh Green, who toured the devastated area on historic Front Street, described the wildfire as the worst natural disaster that Hawaii has ever faced. He emphasized the need to support those who have been displaced and to focus on rebuilding the affected communities.

The extent of the damage is staggering, with at least 2,200 buildings damaged or destroyed in West Maui alone. Governor Green estimated that the total damage across the island amounts to close to $6 billion. The recovery process is expected to be lengthy and challenging.

While the Lahaina fire has been the most destructive, at least two other fires have been burning in Maui. One is in the Kihei area in south Maui, and the other is in the mountainous inland communities known as Upcountry. A fourth fire broke out in Kaanapali, a coastal community in West Maui, but was quickly extinguished by crews.

Emergency managers in Maui are currently working to find shelter for the thousands of people who have been displaced from their homes. As many as 4,500 individuals are in need of housing, according to county officials.

Survivors of the wildfire are counting their blessings while mourning the loss of those who did not make it. Heartbreaking stories have emerged, such as that of retired fire captain Geoff Bogar, who escaped the flames but tragically found the remains of his friend and his beloved dog in his car.

The newly released death toll from the Maui wildfire surpasses the toll of the 2018 Camp Fire in northern California, which claimed 85 lives and destroyed the town of Paradise. The last time Hawaii experienced a natural disaster of this magnitude was in 1960 when a tsunami killed 61 people.

The cause of the wildfire is still under investigation, but it is believed to have been fueled by a dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane. The hazard mitigation plan for Maui County had already identified Lahaina and other West Maui communities as being at high risk for wildfires.

Maui’s firefighting efforts were reportedly hindered by limited staff and equipment. The Hawaii Firefighters Association has called for a review of policies and procedures to improve safety in light of the changing nature of natural disasters.

As the community of Lahaina begins the long process of recovery, residents are left grappling with the unimaginable destruction that unfolded in just a matter of hours. The road to rebuilding will be arduous, but the spirit of resilience and unity among the people of Maui remains strong.

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Associated Press writers Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho; Andrew Selsky in Bend, Oregon; Bobby Caina Calvan in New York; Audrey McAvoy in Wailuku, Hawaii; Ty O’Neil in Lahaina, Hawaii; and Lisa J. Adams Wagner in Evans, Georgia, contributed to this report.

What are some current initiatives being undertaken to provide shelter for the displaced residents affected by the wildfire in Lahaina?

Are working tirelessly to provide shelter for the thousands of people who have been displaced by the fires. Community centers and schools have been converted into temporary shelters, but the need for more accommodations is urgent.

Survivors of the fire are sharing their stories of devastation and loss. Retired fire captain Geoff Bogar, who was assisting in firefighting efforts, narrowly escaped the flames but tragically lost his friend Franklin Trejos. Another resident, Bill Wyland, described the scene as something out of a horror movie as he fled on his motorcycle.

The death toll from this wildfire has surpassed that of the 2018 Camp Fire in California, which claimed 85 lives. Hawaii has not experienced a natural disaster of this magnitude since 1960, when a tsunami took the lives of 61 people. The state’s emergency management records do not indicate that warning sirens were sounded before the fire hit Lahaina, although other forms of alerts were sent out.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is believed to have been fueled by dry conditions and strong winds from a passing hurricane. Lahaina had been identified as a high-risk area for wildfires in the county’s hazard mitigation plan, highlighting the need for proactive measures to address climate change and its impact on fire-related disasters.

Maui’s firefighting efforts were hampered by limited staff and equipment. The Hawaii Firefighters Association is calling for a review of policies and procedures to enhance safety in response to the increasing risk of wildfires.

For the residents of Lahaina, the road to recovery will be long and arduous. The community must come together to support one another and rebuild their lives amidst the unimaginable loss and devastation caused by this historic wildfire.