Rapid Spread of Maui Wildfire: Unmaintained Terrain and Lingering Embers Under Investigation

20

Residue of a melted automobile tire, severely scorched trees, and the charred remnants of a deserted utility pole are among the key pieces of evidence investigators are scrutinizing to understand the cause of last month’s catastrophic wildfire in Maui. The fire, initially sparked by downed power lines and assumed to have been extinguished, rekindled into a devastating blaze hours later, causing immense damage.

The critical factors may include an untamed gully beneath Hawaiian Electric Co. power lines, suspected to have harbored still-burning embers from the first fire. When subjected to powerful winds, these embers could have ignited into a rapidly spreading wall of fire that decimated the Lahaina town, resulted in the loss of thousands of structures, and claimed at least 97 lives.

In the midst of the ongoing investigation, which aims to clarify the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over 100 years, it has emerged that the right-of-way beneath Hawaiian Electric’s power lines had been neglected for years. This was despite its location in a high-risk zone for wildfires. Aerial and satellite analyses by The Big Big News revealed that the gully was filled with dense undergrowth, shrubs, and waste materials, which became critically dry due to a severe summer drought, providing fuel for the blaze.

Concerning Hawaiian Electric’s accountability, the focus on their inadequate brush management could bolster accusations of negligence against the utility. Already embroiled in multiple lawsuits, the utility has come under fire for not preemptively cutting electricity during high-wind alerts, failing to upgrade its infrastructure, and not clearing vegetation near its power lines. Although Hawaiian Electric has admitted that its fallen lines initiated the initial fire, it has shifted the blame to local fire departments for the subsequent flare-up, arguing that its lines had been deactivated for several hours by that point. Maui County, however, has refuted claims of firefighter negligence.

While the utility’s stock has recovered significantly amid ongoing litigation, experts in fire science argue that utilities must take further preventive measures in high-risk areas, which include the removal of excess vegetation. This contradicts Hawaiian Electric’s claim that their right-of-way agreement only allows them to clear potential obstructions to their lines, not perform broader landscape management.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with Maui County, is conducting an extensive investigation, with the aid of hundreds of photographs documenting the affected area and potential ignition sources. These sources may include charred utility poles, burnt trees, and debris like melted car tires.

Although the official findings are still pending, preliminary reports indicate that gaps in the timing between the fire’s first containment and its later rekindling may be of critical importance. Eyewitnesses reported seeing new smoke from the overgrown gully shortly after fire crews had departed, believing the initial blaze had been fully extinguished. By the time the fire was reported and fire crews returned, it had become uncontrollable, accelerated by strong winds.

Amid this disaster, questions are also being raised about Hawaiian Electric’s past and current practices related to “vegetation management.” A 2020 external audit found the company was not meeting its targets for clearing vegetation from its rights-of-way. Despite claims of improvements by Hawaiian Electric, the company is still under scrutiny for its ageing infrastructure that does not meet current standards for wind resistance.

In light of these events, all decisions and strategies employed by Hawaiian Electric to mitigate wildfire risks on Maui are under rigorous evaluation. Meanwhile, approval for the company’s $190 million plan to fortify its electric grid against climate change is still pending.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Maui Wildfire Investigation

More about Maui Wildfire Investigation

• Maui Fire Department Official Website
• State of Hawaii Emergency Management Agency
• National Wildfire Coordinating Group
• Local News Outlet Covering Maui Wildfire
• U.S. Forest Service Wildfire Information
• FEMA Wildfire Resources
• Maui County Public Safety Announcements
• Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Wildfire Updates