Topline
The Maui Police Department confirmed late Friday that 114 have been killed by the island’s historic wildfires, many of which are nearing 100% containment as Maui looks to begin a long road to recovery.
More than 100 fatalities have been confirmed more than a week after the blazes in Maui first … [+]
Key Facts
The island’s police department confirmed the 114 fatalities, adding that 78% of the area has been searched so far.
There were no active fire threats as of Friday, according to county officials, who noted that the fires in Lahaina, Kula and Olinda were at least 85% contained while the Pulehu/Kihei fire remained 100% contained.
Reaching full containment means firefighters have a blaze surrounded, not that a fire has been extinguished.
An unsafe water advisory in Lahaina and Upper Kula remains in effect and was expanded to another area Friday, meaning residents must use bottled water instead of tap water, which could contain harmful contaminants.
Tangent
Local and state government entities have faced increasing pressure from locals over their handling of the emergency. Herman Andaya, the head of Maui’s emergency management agency, resigned Thursday citing “health reasons” for his abrupt departure. The resignation came just one day after Andaya defended the decision to not use the state’s warning siren system as blazes engulfed the island more than a week ago. Andaya said in a press conference earlier this week that the “public is trained to seek higher ground” when sirens are used, which he said could have resulted in people heading into the fire.
Big Number
1,000. That’s the approximate number of people in Maui that remained unaccounted for this week, according to multiple reports.
Key Background
The cause of Maui’s wildfires have been attributed to multiple factors. When the blazes first began raging, experts pointed to drought conditions, dry vegetation and strong winds caused by Hurricane Dora, which was several hundred miles away from Hawaii at the time. Media reports suggested the island’s first fire was likely caused by a power line in the woods of the Maui Bird Conservation Center. Hawaiian Electric, which services 95% of Hawaii’s residents, is facing several negligence lawsuits from residents alleging failure to maintain their equipment and clear vegetation located near utility poles. However, the power company told Forbes this week a cause for the fire had yet to be determined.
Further Reading
Maui Officials Say Warning Sirens Would Not Have Saved Lives As Fire Death Toll Climbs To 111 (Forbes)
Maui Wildfires: FEMA Approves More Than $5.6 Million For 2,000 Households—Including Rent And Hotel Payments (Forbes)
Amazon Kindle Bestselling Book Published 2 Days Into Maui Wildfires Raises Red Flags For Publishers, Reviewers (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/08/19/maui-fire-death-toll-reaches-114-as-island-nears-containment-of-multiple-blazes/