Death toll from Maui wildfires rises to 89 as officials struggle to identify remains - The Washington Post

Death toll from Maui wildfires rises to 89 as officials struggle to identify remains - The Washington Post

Here’s what to know

- The blaze in Maui is now the deadliest U.S. wildfire in the past century, after the 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California that killed 85 people and consumed the town of Paradise.
- “This is the first time we’ve ever experienced a wildfire in the context of these dry conditions, global warming, and with the hurricane that is just passing us,” Green said at a news conference.
- At least 1,000 people have been reported missing, Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) told The Washington Post. She added that at least one person was later found alive at a shelter.
- Authorities pleaded for people with missing loved ones to take a DNA test at the Family Assistance Center in Kahului to help with the process of identifying remains.
- Government officials pledged to review the state’s emergency response after residents criticized relief efforts as insufficient and records indicated that emergency sirens weren’t activated at the state or county level during the wildfires. Alerts were sent to cellphones and broadcast networks.
- Two residents filed a lawsuit seeking class action Saturday against the state’s electric utility, which faces scrutiny for not shutting down power when dangerous winds were predicted.
- The scale of the damage is becoming clearer, with an assessment from the Pacific Disaster Center estimating that more than 2,207 structures were damaged, and that the vast majority of buildings exposed to the fire were residential.
Authorities on Maui say more than 1,400 people are in emergency shelters. The Hawaii Red Cross also said it helped provide nearly 2,900 overnight shelter stays.
- Local officials also advised residents to drink only bottled water, saying water systems could contain harmful contaminants. Structures in the Upper Kula and Lahaina water systems were destroyed by the fire, which may have caused benzene — a carcinogen — to enter the water system, they said.

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deadliest U.S. wildfire in the past century, after the 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California that killed 85 people and consumed the town of Paradise.

which faces scrutiny for not shutting down power when dangerous winds were predicted.

assessment from the Pacific Disaster Center estimating that more than 2,207 structures were damaged, and that the vast majority of buildings exposed to the fire were residential.

Authorities on Maui say more than 1,400 people are in emergency shelters. The Hawaii Red Cross also

said it helped provide nearly 2,900 overnight shelter stays.

Upper Kula and

Lahaina water systems were destroyed by the fire, which may have caused benzene — a carcinogen — to enter the water system, they said.

1/9

Skip to end of carousel

deadliest U.S. wildfire in the past century, after the 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California that killed 85 people and consumed the town of Paradise.

which faces scrutiny for not shutting down power when dangerous winds were predicted.

assessment from the Pacific Disaster Center estimating that more than 2,207 structures were damaged, and that the vast majority of buildings exposed to the fire were residential.

Authorities on Maui say more than 1,400 people are in emergency shelters. The Hawaii Red Cross also

said it helped provide nearly 2,900 overnight shelter stays.

Upper Kula and

Lahaina water systems were destroyed by the fire, which may have caused benzene — a carcinogen — to enter the water system, they said.

1/9

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Wildfires in Hawaii

What’s happening: More than 70 people have died in the wake of wildfires burning in Hawaii. Blazes are raging across Maui and have also been reported on the islands of Hawai’i and Oahu. Follow live updates.

How did the fires start? It’s still unclear exactly what triggered the wildfires across the islands, but the spread of flammable nonnative grasses combined with hurricane-stoked winds could have been factors. Here’s what we know about conditions in Hawaii.

What areas have been impacted? Fires are burning across multiple Hawaiian islands — these maps show where. The town of Lahaina on the island of Maui has suffered widespread damage, and historic landmarks across the island are in danger. These photos show the extent of the blaze.

Can I help? Thousands of residents and visitors have been forced to evacuate. Many organizations are accepting donations to help those affected by the wildfires, while airlines have started offering fares as low as $19 to get people off the island.