BY INDEPENDENT
The death toll from the devastating wildfires on the island of Maui, Hawaii, has now climbed to 55 – as officials warned that the loss of life is expected to rise further.
Another 17 fatalities were confirmed on Thursday, taking the toll to 53 victims. By Thursday night, another two people had been found dead, Maui County confirmed.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green said on Thursday evening that around 1,000 people are still unaccounted for, as he said that the Aloha State is headed for its deadliest disaster in state history.
Mr. Green said that those unaccounted for are not presumed dead but that hundreds have been left without communication and so their safety is unclear.
“Here’s the challenge: there’s no power, no internet, no phone, no radio. You compound some of that. So when we’re speaking to our officers, we need them to get a sat phone,” he said.
The wildfires continue to devastate Lahaina, with more than 1,700 buildings and billions of dollars in property destroyed.
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said that the historic town has been totally wiped out.
“It’s all gone. None of it’s there. It’s all burnt to the ground,” he said.
According to online sources, the cause of the Hawaii wildfires is still under investigation, but a number of factors are believed to have contributed to their spread and intensity. These include:
- Drought conditions: Hawaii has been experiencing a drought for several months, which has left the vegetation dry and highly flammable. As of August 10, 2023, about 80% of Hawaii is classed as abnormally dry, and 14% is in moderate or severe drought.
- Strong winds: Hurricane Dora, a Category 5 hurricane that was located several hundred miles off the coast of Hawaii, brought strong winds to the islands. These winds fanned the flames and made it difficult to fight the fires.
- Invasive plant species: Hawaii has a number of invasive plant species that are highly flammable. These plants, such as guinea grass and fireweed, can quickly spread fire and make it difficult to contain.
- Human activity: It is possible that the fires were started by humans, either accidentally or intentionally. However, the exact cause is still under investigation.