Lahaina Fire in Hawaii Becomes Deadliest in Over a Century, Authorities Report
The Lahaina fire raging through Hawaii has now claimed its place as the deadliest wildfire in over a century, marking a grim milestone in the history of the United States’ fire incidents. The declaration came from US Fire Administrator Lori Moore-Merrell, who addressed the sombre situation during a press conference over the weekend.
“This now has superseded (Northern California’s Butte County) Camp Fire from 2018,” Moore-Merrell stated in the news briefing, providing crucial updates on the Lahaina fire’s devastating impact. The Camp Fire, which devastated Butte County in November 2018, resulted in the tragic loss of 85 lives and consumed a vast expanse of 153,336 acres, erasing over 18,000 structures.
Tragedy has struck once again, as the Lahaina fire’s destructive path has led to a heartbreaking death toll of at least 89 individuals in Maui this week.
Hawaii’s Governor, Josh Green, expressed the gravity of the situation, labelling the fires as “the largest natural disaster Hawaii has ever experienced.” The extent of the destruction is staggering, with approximately 2,200 structures reduced to ashes and estimated losses that are inching close to a staggering $6 billion.
Amid the dire circumstances, Maui Police Chief John Pelletier provided insights into the ongoing efforts to identify victims and manage the aftermath. Pelletier announced that out of the 89 people who have tragically lost their lives in the wildfires, two have been successfully identified as of Saturday.
“We’ve got 89 so far,” Pelletier disclosed, speaking candidly about the fatalities arising from the relentless fire. “Today, we identified two.” The police chief refrained from publicly disclosing the identities of the two victims, underlining the challenges faced by search and recovery teams who are grappling with the extensive wreckage.
The uphill battle in this recovery process was further illuminated by Pelletier, who shared that only a small fraction of the affected areas have been surveyed in the search for remains. “We’re going as fast as we can,” Pelletier affirmed, highlighting the magnitude of the task at hand. “But just so you know, three per cent. That’s what’s been searched with the dogs: three per cent.”
As the Lahaina fire continues to devastate, the authorities’ unwavering commitment to recovery and identification efforts underscores the magnitude of the tragedy and the depth of empathy for those affected. The Lahaina fire serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive power of wildfires and the collective determination needed to navigate their aftermath.
