Maui warns: Toxic particles linger after fires.
Engulfed in Flames: The Devastation of Lahaina
LAHAINA, Hawaii—When flames swept through western Maui, engulfing the town of Lahaina, residents witnessed a horrifying spectacle. Toxic fumes filled the air as homes, pipes, and cars combusted, transforming rubber, metal, and plastic into a poisonous, particulate matter-filled smoke.
Retired mailman and Vietnam veteran Thomas Leonard heard a deafening boom as a nearby propane tank exploded, leaving behind a cloud that resembled a colossal mushroom.
Mike Cicchino, a 37-year-old who grew up on Maui, could gauge the proximity of the flames by the sound of gas tanks erupting in cars. Seeking refuge in the ocean across a knee-high sea wall, he experienced excruciating pain in his rib cage, swollen eyes, and even vomiting as he helped others to safety.
Related Stories
“It was like a war,” Mr. Cicchino recalled.
Since the devastation became evident, approximately 46,000 residents and visitors have flown out of West Maui, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. With over 90 lives lost, officials are now mourning the casualties and preparing for a long recovery, particularly in Lahaina.
Aside from the loss of lives, damaged properties, and a forever transformed culture, authorities are concerned about the lingering toxic byproducts of the fire in certain parts of the island.
While some residents have started returning home, they are met with melted cars, flattened homes, and burnt elevator shafts rising from ashy lots. However, officials are cautioning against premature returns, emphasizing the ongoing dangers and the need for Federal Emergency Management Agency officials to assess additional hazards.
“It is not safe. It is a hazardous area, and that’s why experts are here,” stated Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen during a news conference. ”We’re not doing anybody any favors by letting them back in there quickly, just so they can get sick.”
Hawaii’s state toxicologist, Diana Felton, warned that it could take weeks or even months to clean up the pollutants. Scientists have advised officials like Mr. Bissen and Ms. Felton that fires, even when extinguished, can leave lasting health hazards in the air and drinking water.
These long-term effects could prolong the recovery process, intensify residents’ suffering, and complicate the revival of the island’s tourism-driven economy.
Maui water officials have issued warnings to Lahaina and Kula residents, advising against drinking running water due to potential contamination, even after boiling. They also recommend taking short, lukewarm showers in well-ventilated rooms to minimize exposure to possible chemical vapors.
While some have chosen to return, others, like JP Mayoga, have opted to stay away. Mr. Mayoga, along with his wife and two daughters, plans to remain at the hotel where he works north of Lahaina. They fear that the toxic debris covering Lahaina could negatively impact their family members with sensitive health conditions.
“It’s safer than it is at home right now,” Mr. Mayoga expressed about the hotel.
Unlike factory pollution or forest fires, where scientists have a better understanding of the emitted toxins, fires like the one in Maui leave behind a more unpredictable trail of destruction. As towns like Lahaina burn, propane tanks explode, and pipes rupture, the aftermath poses significant challenges for both the environment and the people affected.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...