Posted on 08/16/2023 6:19:09 PM PDT by Drew68
Over 1,000 people remain missing a week after Hawaii's historic wildfires, as state officials warn the death toll will continue to climb while search and recovery efforts continue.
Why it matters: The fire that razed most of the historic town of Lahaina on Maui last week is already one of the deadliest wildfires in modern U.S. history, but the full extent of its devastation may not be known for a long while.
The county has so far confirmed at least 106 fatalities from the fire. "This number will tragically go up," Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said on Tuesday in regard to the death toll. "There will not be any survivors in the area left," he told CBS News on Monday. "Our hearts will break beyond repair, perhaps, if that means that many more dead. None of us think that, but we're prepared for many tragic stories.
The big picture: Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said on Tuesday that rescuers who searched through the aftermath of 9/11 are now involved in the search in Lahaina, as well as 20 cadaver dogs.
"I want people to understand the reverence with which we're doing this," Pelletier said about the search effort. "It's not just ash on your clothing when you take it off. It's our loved ones. That's the reverence." Many of the same people who were involved in search and recovery efforts after California's Camp Fire have also traveled to Maui to help find and identify fire victims, the New York Times reports. "As of yesterday, in the evening, we had recovered 25% of the territory," he said in reference to search efforts in Lahaina. "So expect some heart-breaking stories." Green told CBS News that the number of people missing after the fires decreased from 2,000 to around 1,300 after cellphone reception was temporarily restored in parts of the state.
The Maui Police Department on Tuesday identified the first victims from the fires as Robert Dyckman, 74, and Buddy Jantoc, 79, both of whom were Lahaina residents.
Three others have been identified, but their names will not be released until their families are notified, police said. Maui County has encouraged people to provide DNA samples to help authorities identify other victims. The deaths from the Lahaina fire has surpassed the toll from the 2018 Camp Fire in California, which killed at least 85 people. In addition to the fatalities, the fire destroyed more than 2,200 structures in the town.
By the numbers: Maui County said the fire that tore through Lahaina had burned an estimated 2,170 acres and was 85% contained on Tuesday.
It said another estimated 678-acre fire on the western-facing slope of Maui was 75% contained, while two other fires on the island were fully contained. Several other fires ignited on the other Hawaiian islands last week, as well. The 2020 census estimated Lahaina's population was around 12,ooo at that time, though as a popular tourist destination, the number of people in the town fluctuates rapidly throughout the year.
The climate-change-related fires were fueled by grasses dried by elevated temperatures and drought conditions and extreme winds from Hurricane Dora, which was passing the state hundreds of miles to the southwest.
At least three lawsuits — including two seeking class-action status — have been filed against Hawaii's primary energy provider over the deadly fires. The lawsuits allege that the fires, the causes of which have not been officially confirmed, were ignited by strong winds or trees damaging Hawaiian Electric's energized power lines. A Washington Post investigation using security camera footage and sensor data indicates that the first reported fire on Maui likely started from a power line faulting, meaning it either contacted vegetation or another line or was knocked down.
Well they say ‘best seller’ we can make up anything we want apparently and masses accept anything but the truth. I really am not made to live in these times. I have no idea how to survive this constant onslaught and live with any modicum of peace or feeling of safety or hope. I considered myself Christian but last few years are really testing my ability to keep reaching . It definitely said ‘best seller’ - multiple reviews cite timely propaganda. That’s hopeful. I need to keep finding the tiny hopefuls
Supposedly, the fire spread 1 mile a minute.
Progressive policies cremated over 1000 people alive.
The moron values what surrounds his tiny little island in the vast ocean over his fellow Hawaiians.
Maybe these coastal towns could install generators along the shore to pump water so there isn’t a single off button that these enviro freaks can push. Yeah, the noise might disrupt sleeping fish and we can’t have that.
See tagline.
I know what you mean about constant onslaught. In an effort to maintain sanity, one of my hobbies is vegetable gardening, and I volunteer at the local library. Also subscribe to BritBox. The Brits invented murder mysteries. Best of the best.
It isn’t just Hawaii that fails to notify residents. It is everywhere. I’ve called in weather events and got poo-pooed to not believe my lying eyes. One was a 40+ foot flood. Apparently, our officials believed it was the parting of the Red Sea v.2 with the flood being in the county next door but not on our side of the river. We’ve also had 2 fires recently and my only warning was seeing planes with water buckets passing our windows.
No one is going to save you. You’re on your own. Give your children permission to disobey authority when their gut tells them to.
Good lord
Freepers will blame external ominous conspiratorial things
I love british tv and mystery crime is best- so tongue in cheek!! That is one of my bright spots- thanks for reminder and suggestions
Yes, we discussed the death rays above.
According to the school calendar, the fire happened on the second day of the new school year.
A while back, the interstate was jammed, so I took some backroads. Beautiful countryside, farms, vistas, etc. Realized that before the big highways there had to be a way to get from place to place (duh). Now I make it a point to take “Sunday drives” to nowhere just to explore all the little byways around and about. Never know what you’ll find or when you’ll need that info without a GPS.
You noticed the name, too, huh. Cause for pause. His bio at amazon - “I’d rather not say.”
The grass grew because the plantations stopped producing and are now laying fallow. A “Canadian” (probably Chinese) company came in and bought the land now that it’s out of production.
Yet people you and I pass on street every single day and work beside see nothing wrong
(posting blind, sorry if duplicate)
https://deadline.com/2023/08/mick-fleetwood-restaurant-maui-fire-lahaina-1235459923/
Firsthand accounts of survivors from the deadly wildfires that devastated Maui
Chaotic Maui Evacuation: Police Block Exits As Wildfire Forces Ocean Escape
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z0beYjT6ko
Because I’m curious...
Where was Gov. Green and Maui County Mayor Bissen on August 8th, 2023.
Gov. Green was out of state. Where was he specifically vacationing?
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