The aftermath of Hawaii’s wildfires continues to grasp the nation’s attention with a death toll that keeps climbing. According to Hawaii Governor Josh Green, over 1,000 people remain missing almost two weeks after the flames consumed the historic town of Lahaina on Maui.
“Now we go into the larger buildings, which require peeling back some of the floors and structures. That last 15% could take weeks,” he said.
“We do have extreme concerns that because of the temperature of the fire, the remains of those who have died, in some cases, may be impossible to recover … there are going to be people that are lost forever.”
When the flames engulfed Lahaina, the town’s history and culture were reduced to ashes.
The search and recovery efforts have been reminiscent of the response after 9/11, with rescue teams and 20 cadaver dogs tirelessly scouring the wreckage for any signs of life.
State officials and rescue teams are grappling with the enormity of the disaster. And the death toll is expected to rise. The Lahaina Fire, which ignited on August 8, has already etched its name as one of the deadliest wildfires in U.S. history.
