Death toll rises to 89 in Maui fires as searches through destroyed town continue

The tragic toll of the Maui wildfire continues to rise as dedicated search teams, assisted by cadaver dogs, persistently sift through the remains of once-thriving communities on the island, including the picturesque town of Lahaina.

Governor Josh Green confirmed that the fires have claimed the lives of at least 89 individuals as of Saturday night, and this number is expected to climb further. This fire has now become the deadliest wildfire in the United States in over a century, as substantiated by research from the National Fire Protection Association.

While firefighters have managed to make some headway in containing the raging blazes that have decimated entire neighborhoods, officials caution that the exact number of missing individuals remains uncertain after the wildfires rapidly tore through neighborhoods in western Maui earlier this week.

These infernos, fueled by the powerful winds of Hurricane Dora, originating hundreds of miles offshore, have become the most lethal natural disaster in Hawaii since the state's establishment in 1959. As of Friday evening, all three fires were still active, even after initial reports emerged on Tuesday. Although there have been some improvements in containment, the threat of flare-ups persists.

Residents of Kaanapali were forced to evacuate on Friday night upon sighting a fire in the neighborhood, situated approximately 4 miles north of the severely affected Lahaina. Maui police reported that the fire was later completely contained, according to county officials.

Among the three largest wildfires that firefighting crews have been battling, the deadly fire in Lahaina was reported to be 85% contained by Maui County officials on Friday afternoon, a step up from the 80% containment reported the previous day.

The Pulehu fire, situated farther east in Kihei, was 80% contained on Friday, demonstrating further progress from the 70% containment achieved on Thursday, as noted by officials. Additionally, a third inferno in the hills of Maui's central Upcountry was 50% contained on Friday, according to official reports. Meanwhile, search and recovery teams are diligently utilizing cadaver dogs to assist in locating those who are missing, raising concerns about the growing possibility of additional casualties.
As of Friday, crews have not yet conducted searches within buildings, as confirmed by Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen. The deaths in Lahaina, as of Friday afternoon, are believed to have primarily occurred outdoors, as individuals attempted to escape the advancing flames, a statement made by Hawaii Gov. Josh Green during an interview with CNN.

Governor Green expressed that there will unquestionably be more fatalities, although the precise number remains unknown. Officials anticipate having a clearer understanding of the situation within the coming days. As search operations continue, here is the latest update as of Saturday morning:

**Thousands Displaced**: The fires have led to the displacement of thousands of people, as conveyed by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell during an interview with CNN on Thursday. Those seeking shelter have expressed significant uncertainty, prompting the governor to urge fellow citizens to offer assistance to the victims if they are able. A hotline is likely to be established to connect displaced residents with available accommodations in homes and hotels.

**Road Closure Challenges**: The main routes into Lahaina have faced intermittent closures, causing increasing frustration among residents and creating extensive lines of vehicles. Honoapiʻilani Highway was initially reopened for residents at 6 a.m. on Saturday. However, a subsequent announcement by Maui police on Facebook indicated that residents could only access Lahaina through Kahakuloa from Maui's north side.

**Communication and Updates**: Communication challenges persist in parts of Maui due to disrupted lines, leading many to report not hearing from their loved ones for several days. To address this issue, Maui County officials have turned to radio stations to provide updates to the public. They will also utilize the county's website and social media pages to share new information.

**Disaster Response Review**: In response to the catastrophic wildfires, Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez's office announced that she will lead a comprehensive review of the officials' response. Lopez emphasized her department's commitment to understanding the decisions made before and during the wildfires, with a goal to share the results of this review with the public.

**Emergency Sirens and Safety**: Concerns have been raised about the emergency response system. State records indicate that Maui's warning sirens were not activated, and emergency communications with residents mainly relied on mobile phones and broadcasters, even though power and cell service were compromised.

**Water and Power Concerns**: Local authorities have issued warnings not to consume tap water in Upper Kula and Lahaina areas due to safety concerns. Instead, customers are advised to use only bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, making ice, and preparing food. Efforts to restore power have been underway, with approximately 5,000 outages still active, showing significant improvement from the 11,000 outages reported the previous day.

**Lahaina Residents' Concerns**: Hawaii's Lieutenant Governor, Sylvia Luke, acknowledged the frustration of those living and working in Lahaina, who are experiencing delays in returning to the wildfire-affected community. Some structures remain unharmed, leading individuals to desire reentry. However, the state intends to defer to Maui County officials' judgment regarding traffic management and public safety.

**Assessment and Recovery**: The full extent of the widespread destruction is yet to be determined, but preliminary estimates indicate losses in the billions of dollars. Maui County is estimated to have experienced $5.52 billion in "capital exposure," which represents the projected cost to rebuild after damage from the Lahaina Fire, according to an updated assessment from the Pacific Disaster Center and FEMA. However, FEMA has clarified that this figure is not an official estimate and that it is too early in the response and recovery stages to determine the rebuilding cost.

**Structural Damage and Acres Burned**: According to the assessment by the Pacific Disaster Center and FEMA, a total of 2,207 structures were damaged or destroyed, and 2,170 acres have been consumed by the Lahaina Fire.

**Resident Challenges**: As access to the town remains restricted for residents, one couple shared their experience with CNN, explaining that they were not permitted to see their home on Friday. Steve Dolan, who had lived in the same house for 50 years, expressed his desire to assess the damage and start anew, but he understands that dealing with the situation and rebuilding will take time.