New fire prompts evacuation as survivors of Maui’s wildfires return after death toll rises to 67

A new blaze ignited on the Hawaiian island of Maui on Friday night, leading to the evacuation of the Kaanapali community in West Maui. This comes as survivors from earlier wildfires this week were beginning to return to assess the wreckage. No immediate details about the evacuation were disclosed.

Earlier, traffic was stopped after individuals had trespassed into closed-off disaster areas, areas deemed hazardous and under active investigation, according to the police.

The death toll from the recent Maui wildfires has tragically risen to 67, marking the state’s deadliest natural disaster in decades.

Those who returned home were confronted with the sight of destroyed cars, flattened buildings, and other reminders of the devastation. Among them was Anthony Garcia, who took it upon himself to clear debris in a desperate attempt to restore some semblance of order to his world.

A comprehensive review of the events leading up to, during, and after the wildfires will be conducted, Attorney General Anne Lopez announced, committing to sharing the results with the public.

Big Big News journalists documented the extensive damage, describing nearly every building on Lahaina’s Front Street as demolished, with surviving animals wandering through the ruins. Residents likened the scene to a “war zone.”

The wildfires have surpassed previous catastrophic events, including tsunamis in 1946 and 1960. However, many survivors reported receiving no warnings or alerts, possibly due to widespread power and cellular outages.

Governor Josh Green warned that the death toll could rise as search and rescue operations continue, while also stressing the complexity of the recovery process.

At least three wildfires have emerged on Maui this week, accelerated by dry weather and strong winds. The destruction has been extensive, with Lahaina particularly hard-hit.

According to risk modeling company Karen Clark & Company, the wildfire is projected to be the second-most expensive disaster in Hawaii’s history, following Hurricane Iniki in 1992.

Despite the loss of property and keepsakes, some, like Summer and Gilles Gerling, expressed gratitude for their lives and the safety of their family.

The wildfire is the deadliest in the U.S. since California’s Camp Fire in 2018, and the risks were previously known, as noted in Maui County’s hazard mitigation plan.

Limited firefighting resources and lack of off-road vehicles may have compounded the disaster, according to the president of the Hawaii Firefighters Association.

Residents in affected areas have been warned about possible water contamination, with conflicting advice regarding safety precautions.

The swift and consuming nature of the fire left many in shock, with some comparing it to wildfires they’d witnessed in California but noting the unprecedented speed of destruction in Lahaina.

While some residents are eager to rebuild, others are more skeptical about what could have been done to prevent such a catastrophic event.

Big Big News journalists from various locations contributed to this report, with the organization’s climate and environmental coverage supported by several private foundations. The AP maintains full responsibility for the content.

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