The death toll from the devastating fire that swept through Maui has climbed to 80, as officials continue to investigate why emergency sirens failed to alert residents of the approaching danger.
The fire, which started on Saturday, quickly spread through dry brush and vegetation, fueled by strong winds. Residents who were not prepared for the fire had little time to evacuate, and many were caught unawares.
“Neither Maui nor HI-EMA activated warning sirens on Maui during the wildfire incident,” the agency said in a statement. “The sirens are used to alert the public to seek additional information; they do not necessarily indicate an evacuation.”
“There was no warning. There was absolutely none. Nobody came around. We didn’t see a fire truck or anybody,” said resident Lynn Robinson, who lost her home in the blaze.
HI-EMA also sent out alerts via text, radio, and TV, but many residents didn’t receive or notice alerts and were only made aware of the fire when they saw it or heard explosions. It remained unclear why the emergency sirens didn’t initially go off, according to Gov. Josh Green (D-HI), who told CNN that much of the equipment was “destroyed very rapidly” by the fire.
Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez said her office will conduct a “comprehensive review” of the decisions made by officials before, during, and after the wildfires.
“The Department of the Attorney General shares the grief felt by all in Hawaiʻi, and our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy,” Lopez said Friday. “My Department is committed to understanding the decisions that were made before and during the wildfires and to sharing with the public the results of this review. As we continue to support all aspects of the ongoing relief effort, now is the time to begin this process of understanding.”
#WATCH: New video shows the moment a wildfire tore though homes in Lahaina.
READ MORE: https://t.co/hGkr7eRdpv #HINews #HNN pic.twitter.com/U7ZdftV7S3
— Hawaii News Now (@HawaiiNewsNow) August 10, 2023
