Maui Wildfires: Deadliest US Fire in 100 Years, 93+ Dead
The Maui wildfires have tragically become the deadliest wildfires in U.S. history in the past century, claiming the lives of 93 people.
The latest update on August 12th comes from the Maui County website, which noted that two of the victims have been identified. This surpasses the previous record set by the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California, which claimed 85 lives.
While the number of confirmed deaths has not yet surpassed the Cloquet fire of 1918, which claimed at least 453 lives, the devastation in Maui is unprecedented.
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During a survey of the damage, Governor Josh Green expressed the grim reality that the death toll is expected to rise.
“This will undoubtedly be the worst natural disaster that Hawaii has ever faced. Our focus now is on supporting those who are still alive, reuniting families, providing housing and healthcare, and ultimately rebuilding,” he said.
Only 3 Percent of Search Area Covered
Cadaver dogs, specially trained to find human remains, have been tirelessly searching the ruins. However, they have only covered 3 percent of the search area, according to Maui County Police Chief John Pelletier.
The main fire ravaged Lahaina, a once-thriving town that now resembles a barren wasteland.
In a late update on August 12th, Maui County reported that firefighters are still battling flare-ups in Lahaina and Upcountry Maui. The Pulehu/Kīhei fire has been declared 100 percent contained, while a 1-acre fire in Kaanapali has been extinguished.
4,500 in Need of Shelter
Approximately 4,500 people are in need of shelter, according to county officials. Efforts are underway to secure hotel rooms and rental properties for those who lost their homes, with over 1,400 people already taken in at emergency shelters.
Despite Hawaii’s emergency alert system, which failed to activate the necessary sirens and reach mobile phones, televisions, and radio stations due to power and cellular outages, officials are determined to examine and improve the state’s emergency notification systems.
The wildfires, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds from Hurricane Dora, caught residents off guard. Some were forced to seek refuge in the Pacific Ocean to survive.
The causes of the fires have yet to be officially determined, and precautions are being taken to avoid exposure to possible chemical vapors in the water supply.
The damage across West Maui is extensive, with at least 2,200 buildings, including 86 percent of homes, damaged or destroyed. The estimated cost to rebuild Lahaina alone is $5.5 billion.
The Associated Press and Reuters
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