In a grim turn of events, what began as a wildfire on the island of Maui, Hawaii, has escalated into the deadliest US wildfire in over a century, with the death toll rising to a staggering 96 as of Sunday.
The devastation has been particularly concentrated in the town of Lahaina, where nearly the entire area, home to around 12,000 people, has been ravaged by the flames.
Maui’s Wildfire Erupts into Deadliest US Blaze in a Century
The scale of the disaster has overwhelmed authorities and rescue efforts. Governor Josh Green shared with CBS News that the full extent of the tragedy might not be known for up to 10 days.
Such a significant loss of life has left Lahaina and its surroundings reeling in the wake of an unprecedented disaster.
The town of Lahaina, once bustling with life, now stands as a haunting testament to the destructive power of wildfires.
Governor Green described the scene as one of complete devastation, a place where “there is nothing to see except full devastation.”
The enormity of the crisis has made the process of identification challenging, as victims and their remains have been altered beyond recognition by the flames.
With only 3% of Lahaina searched as of Saturday, authorities are grappling with a vast area that encompasses at least five square miles.
This area is fraught with the remains of those lost to the fire. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has deployed ten search dogs, experts in locating human remains, to assist in the search.
Despite their effectiveness, the dogs are limited by extreme temperatures and require regular rest and hydration.
The search and recovery mission is precarious and slow, as the blaze continues to smolder.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell emphasized the hazardous conditions, stating that the temperature and residual fire hazards impact the search dogs’ ability to work effectively.
The mission also involves identifying the deceased through rapid DNA analysis, a testament to the extent of the fire’s destruction.
Chief Jeff Pelletier of the Maui Police urged missing individuals’ families to provide DNA samples to facilitate identification.
He also acknowledged the arduous nature of the process and the significance of identifying each victim. The remains recovered are often unrecognizable due to the intensity of the fire.
Read more: Lahaina’s Water System Struggles Amid Growing Inferno
Wildfire Continues to Burn as Questions Arise
The wildfire that ignited in Lahaina is still burning, albeit now about 85% contained, according to Maui County officials.
The precise cause of the fire remains uncertain, though the blaze was exacerbated by Hurricane Dora’s winds and prevailing drought conditions.
In response to the devastation, a class-action lawsuit has been filed against Hawaii’s largest electricity provider, Hawaii Electric.
The suit alleges that the company’s failure to shut off downed power lines, despite advanced warnings from the National Weather Service about high wildfire risks, contributed to the fires’ spread.
Similar accusations have been made against power companies in other regions prone to wildfires, underlining the importance of fire mitigation strategies.
As the tragic consequences of the wildfire unfold, Lahaina and its residents grapple with profound loss.
The disaster serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and destructive force of wildfires and the need for robust disaster response and mitigation measures.
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