Watch: Aerial footage shows scope of devastating destruction after wildfire in Kula, Hawaii
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources released aerial footage above Kula, Hawaii, that shows the scope of devastation after wildfires raged across Maui.
LAHAINA, Hawaii – The death toll from the devastating wildfires in Hawaii has risen to 99 per Gov. Josh Green, with search and rescue teams still looking through the charred remains of scorched buildings for any signs of the hundreds of people still missing from the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than 100 years.
Firefighters are still working to contain flare-ups and extinguish the wildfires that broke out nearly a week ago, with the Upcounty/Kula fire now at 60% containment, the Lahaina fire at 85% containment, and the Pulehu/Kihei fire at 100% contained.
However, officials stress that even if and when a fire is 100% contained, it doesn’t mean it’s extinguished. It only means that firefighters have the blaze entirely surrounded by a perimeter, inside of which can continue to burn. The fire will only be declared extinguished when firefighters believe nothing is left burning.
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The latest information on the Hawaii wildfires
Volunteers sort out donations for those affected by a wildfire, at a parking lot in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 12, 2023. (Photo by Yuki IWAMURA / AFP) (Photo by YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images)
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Boxes of donated supplies from the Maui Full Gospel Korean Church await distribution to fire victims in the aftermath of wildfires in western Maui in Wailuku, Hawaii on August 12, 2023. Hawaii's Attorney General, Anne Lopez, said August 11, she was opening a probe into the handling of devastating wildfires that killed at least 80 people in the state this week, as criticism grows of the official response. The announcement and increased death toll came as residents of Lahaina were allowed back into the town for the first time.
(Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources shared images of destruction from wildfires in Kula, Hawaii.
(Hawaii DLNR)
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources shared images of destruction from wildfires in Kula, Hawaii.
(Hawaii DLNR)
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources shared images of destruction from wildfires in Kula, Hawaii.
(Hawaii DLNR)
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources shared images of destruction from wildfires in Kula, Hawaii.
(Hawaii DLNR)
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources shared images of destruction from wildfires in Kula, Hawaii.
(Hawaii DLNR)
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources shared images of destruction from wildfires in Kula, Hawaii.
(Hawaii DLNR)
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources shared images of destruction from wildfires in Kula, Hawaii.
(Hawaii DLNR)
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources shared images of destruction from wildfires in Kula, Hawaii.
(Hawaii DLNR)
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources shared images of destruction from wildfires in Kula, Hawaii.
(Hawaii DLNR)
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources shared images of destruction from wildfires in Kula, Hawaii.
(Hawaii DLNR)
TOPSHOT - A Mercy Worldwide volunteer makes damage assessment of charred apartment complex in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 12, 2023. Hawaii's Attorney General, Anne Lopez, said August 11, she was opening a probe into the handling of devastating wildfires that killed at least 80 people in the state this week, as criticism grows of the official response. The announcement and increased death toll came as residents of Lahaina were allowed back into the town for the first time.
(Yuki IWAMURA / AFP)
A burnt out car lies in the driveway of charred apartment complex in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 12, 2023. Hawaii's Attorney General, Anne Lopez, said August 11, she was opening a probe into the handling of devastating wildfires that killed at least 80 people in the state this week, as criticism grows of the official response. The announcement and increased death toll came as residents of Lahaina were allowed back into the town for the first time.
(Yuki IWAMURA / AFP)
A burnt out car lies in the driveway of charred apartment complex in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 12, 2023. Hawaii's Attorney General, Anne Lopez, said August 11, she was opening a probe into the handling of devastating wildfires that killed at least 80 people in the state this week, as criticism grows of the official response. The announcement and increased death toll came as residents of Lahaina were allowed back into the town for the first time.
(Yuki IWAMURA / AFP)
Charred remains of an apartment complex in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 12, 2023. Hawaii's Attorney General, Anne Lopez, said August 11, she was opening a probe into the handling of devastating wildfires that killed at least 80 people in the state this week, as criticism grows of the official response. The announcement and increased death toll came as residents of Lahaina were allowed back into the town for the first time.
(Yuki IWAMURA / AFP)
TOPSHOT - Burned houses and buildings are pictured in the aftermath of a wildfire, is seen in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 12, 2023. Hawaii's Attorney General, Anne Lopez, said August 11, she was opening a probe into the handling of devastating wildfires that killed at least 80 people in the state this week, as criticism grows of the official response. The announcement and increased death toll came as residents of Lahaina were allowed back into the town for the first time.
(Yuki IWAMURA / AFP)
Burned houses and buildings are pictured in the aftermath of a wildfire, is seen in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 12, 2023. Hawaii's Attorney General, Anne Lopez, said August 11, she was opening a probe into the handling of devastating wildfires that killed at least 80 people in the state this week, as criticism grows of the official response. The announcement and increased death toll came as residents of Lahaina were allowed back into the town for the first time.
(Yuki IWAMURA / AFP)
TOPSHOT - Burned houses and buildings are pictured in the aftermath of a wildfire, is seen in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 12, 2023. Hawaii's Attorney General, Anne Lopez, said August 11, she was opening a probe into the handling of devastating wildfires that killed at least 80 people in the state this week, as criticism grows of the official response. The announcement and increased death toll came as residents of Lahaina were allowed back into the town for the first time.
(Yuki IWAMURA / AFP)
Smoke rises between the remains of Lahaina during the wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii on August 10, 2023.
(Mengshin Lin for The Washington Post)
The Ganer family look through the ashes of their family's home on Malolo Place in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 11, 2023.
(PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP)
Maui resident John Rey Serrano reacts while looking from a road above Lahaina Town in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 11, 2023.
(Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
An aerial image taken on August 10, 2023 shows destroyed homes, buildings, and the harbor area burned to the ground in Lahaina in the aftermath of wildfires in western Maui, Hawaii.
(PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP)
An aerial image taken on August 10, 2023 shows destroyed cars in Lahaina in the aftermath of wildfires in western Maui, Hawaii.
(PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP)
An aerial image taken on August 10, 2023 shows a person walking down Front Street past destroyed buildings burned to the ground in Lahaina in the aftermath of wildfires in western Maui, Hawaii.
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An aerial image shows a burned building in the historic Lahaina in the aftermath of wildfires in western Maui in Lahaina, Hawaii, on August 10, 2023.
(PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP )
An aerial image shows a burned hillside above Lahaina in the aftermath of wildfires in western Maui in Lahaina, Hawaii, on August 10, 2023.
(PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP)
Burned cars, destroyed buildings and homes are pictured in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 11, 2023.
(PAULA RAMON/AFP)
This aerial photo shows destroyed buildings and homes in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 11, 2023.
(SEBASTIEN VUAGNAT/AFP)
The Ganer family look through the ashes of their family's home on Malolo Place in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 11, 2023.
(PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP)
Noe Lopes sits with her granddaughter Leilani and great granddaughter Kawehi as the sun sets on their third day of waiting to return home near Lahaina. They and other evacuees camped in a parking lot along the Honoapiilani Highway, hoping to be allowed back into Lahaina, two days after a devastating wildfire tore through the community. August 10, 2023
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Hawaii Governor Josh Green and government officials gathered on Maui to survey wildfire damage and support affected individuals.
(Courtesy Office of the Governor of Hawai'i)
Hawaii Governor Josh Green and government officials gathered on Maui to survey wildfire damage and support affected individuals.
(Courtesy Office of the Governor of Hawai'i)
Hawaii Governor Josh Green and government officials gathered on Maui to survey wildfire damage and support affected individuals.
(Courtesy Office of the Governor of Hawai'i)
Hawaii Governor Josh Green and government officials gathered on Maui to survey wildfire damage and support affected individuals.
(Courtesy Office of the Governor of Hawai'i)
Hawaii Governor Josh Green and government officials gathered on Maui to survey wildfire damage and support affected individuals.
(Courtesy Office of the Governor of Hawai'i)
Hawaii Governor Josh Green and government officials gathered on Maui to survey wildfire damage and support affected individuals.
(Courtesy Office of the Governor of Hawai'i)
An aerial image taken on August 10, 2023 shows a person walking down Front Street past destroyed buildings burned to the ground in Lahaina in the aftermath of wildfires in western Maui, Hawaii.
(PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP)
Officials have been providing details of the current situation as containment, search and rescue efforts and support for the thousands of residents who have been affected all continue.
Residents of West Maui have slowly been allowed to return to their homes. On Monday, travel into West Maui was set to be expedited with access placards but Maui police later suspended the placard program because of "overwhelming demand" from non-essential individuals and non-Maui residents.
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Volunteers sort out donations for those affected by a wildfire, at a parking lot in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 12, 2023. (Photo by Yuki IWAMURA / AFP) (Photo by YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Power is also being restored, and officials said the Napili Plaza is open 24 hours a day. And with power being restored in areas of West Maui, Ohana Fuels/Minit Stop on Keawe Street in Lahaina and Kahana Gateway Shell are open for gasoline.
An unsafe water advisory has also been issued for many residents until further notice, and residents have been told not to drink or boil water. Bottled water should be used for all drinking, brushing teeth, ice making and food preparation until further notice.
HAWAII BRUSH FIRES BY THE NUMBERS: THE SCOPE OF THE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE
Officials said residents cannot treat the water in any way to make it safe, and drinking water sites have been set up in many areas of Lahaina and Kula.
Six shelters have been set up across the area, with one shelter at Maui High School, Kahului, being closed on Sunday. People staying there were transported to the South Maui Community Park Gymnasium, Kihei.
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Searching for answers
Maui resident John Rey Serrano reacts while looking from a road above Lahaina Town in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 11, 2023. (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP / Getty Images)
People across Maui and Hawaii are searching for answers as to what sparked the fires that claimed so many lives last week.
There’s no official reason as to what sparked the blazes, but a class-action lawsuit was filed in Hawaiian Circuit Court alleging that Hawaiian Electric was negligent, essentially ignored weather warnings and didn’t de-energize power lines when they should have when they were aware that windy conditions and fire weather alerts were in place.
Hawaiian Electric issued a statement and said they couldn’t comment on pending litigation.
"Our immediate focus is on supporting emergency response efforts on Maui and restoring power for our customers and communities as quickly as possible," Hawaiian Electric spokesperson Jim Kelly said in a statement. "At this early stage, the cause of the fire has not been determined, and we will work with the state and county as they conduct their review."
New video of damage from Lahaina brush fires
An aerial video of damage in Lahaina, Hawaii, from deadly brush fires.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green says he wants an investigation into how the disaster happened, into the aftermath and into why people may not have been warned or didn’t receive the life-saving information in time.
Green said that initially, firefighters thought that the fire was out, but then the winds picked up to around 80 mph and caused what he called a "fire hurricane."
"That meant that the fire traveled one mile every minute, resulting in this tragedy," he said. "With those kinds of winds and 1,000-degree temperatures, ultimately all of the pictures that you will see will be easy to understand."
Survivors encouraged to submit DNA samples to ID victims
Maui residents John Rey Serrano and Lexie Lara look from a road above Lahaina Town in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 11, 2023. A wildfire that left Lahaina in charred ruins has killed at least 67 people, authorities said on August 11, making it one of the deadliest disasters in the US state's history. Brushfires on Maui, fueled by high winds from Hurricane Dora passing to the south of Hawaii, broke out August 8 and rapidly engulfed Lahaina. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP / Getty Images)
Access to Lahaina is still limited because of the dangerous conditions that remain nearly a week after the deadly fire.
The search for victims continues, and in one case, a family of four was identified as victims.
An overnight curfew also remains in effect across West Maui from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., with limited access during the day to residents only and those with hotel reservations.
"Never, I think, in my life would I have imagined that we would have something like this," Ed Gazmen said.
With the death toll expected to continue to rise as the search continues for hundreds of people who remain missing, survivors of the fire are being urged to submit DNA samples to help identify those who were killed.
Thousands of buildings destroyed in Maui
Watch: Aerial footage shows scope of devastating destruction after wildfire in Kula, Hawaii
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources released aerial footage above Kula, Hawaii, that shows the scope of devastation after wildfires raged across Maui.
The fire destroyed thousands of buildings in Lahaina, with nearly 90% of those being residential structures.
Several homes were also burned in the Upcountry/Kula wildfire, with officials saying 19 were destroyed in Kula and three were destroyed in Olinda.
Several other homes sustained damage; however, officials said a total number of homes destroyed are not yet available because the fire is still active.
How you can help victims of the Hawaii fires
How to help rescue and recovery efforts in Hawaii
After wildfires burned through Lahaina and other communities on the island of Maui, officials are working to contain what's left of the fires and shifting to rescue and recovery efforts. August 11, 2023.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green announced a new relief program to re-house the thousands who now have no home.
"This means we will be able to get people into hotel rooms, Airbnbs and so on so that they are safe," he said. "Look out for your neighbors. Love them. That's what we will be defined by in the future. How we take care of our ohana (family)."
If you would like to help the people of Lahaina and Maui, check out this page.