[Image of wildfire. Photo Credit to Unsplash]

On August 13, the residents of Maui island in Hawaii faced a record-breaking wildfire, leaving many injured, homeless, and even missing.

A total of 96 confirmed deaths were recorded, making this particular wildfire the deadliest in the US within the past 100 years.

It was reported that 1,418 residents and tourists alike were evacuating and being sheltered at the time of the first outbreak of the fire.

As the fire spread towards the neighborhoods of Maui, the emergency siren system set in place to alert residents of any emergency remained silent the whole time. 

Residents were restricted to getting alerts from mobile devices and broadcasting services, especially when power and cellular service were cut.

Burned houses, carcasses of cars, and all types of debris were scattered all over the island of Maui. 

Officials are searching for survivors within the wreckage and have deployed cadaver dogs to help with the search.

Maui island schools are expected to open on August 14th; however, West Maui and Maui High School are expected to open later to students due to the devastating effects of the wildfire on the western side.

Lawsuits are also underway directed towards Maui power companies, alleging that blown-over power lines from Hurricane Dora were the cause of the wildfire’s spread.

While assumptions and allegations point to the power companies as responsible for the wildfires, the true cause of fires is still unknown.

As residents recover from the fire, they are directing blame towards the senator and state officials, stating they were “woefully” unprepared for the wildfire.

Senator Mazie Hirono has indicated plans for a press conference, but her main focus remains on search and rescue efforts for potential survivors.

Amidst the ongoing chaos, housing for both residents and tourists is becoming scarce.

Both groups are struggling to find available hotel spaces or places of refuge.

The Hawaii government has not yet closed the island to tourism, particularly the unaffected eastern side.

Runways at Kahului Airport have been closed for commercial use to receive facilitate easier cargo shipments.

The Department of Transportation has stated that commercial flights into Maui will remain unaffected and will continue to welcome tourists to the island.

Conversely, the western side of the island is completely burnt from the wildfires, with entire neighborhoods left with nothing but burnt wood and debris.

Firefighters have reported that the hard-hit Lahaina fires are 85% contained, the Upcountry Kula fires are 60% contained, and Pulehu-Kihei fire is 100% contained but not yet fully extinguished.

As the fires become more contained, law enforcement has started to distribute access placards to “expedite travel” to West Maui. 

Only residents with identification clarifying they are from West Maui are allowed to  enter.

Officials have stated that the fire initially traveled at a speed of 1 mile per minute, with tropical winds gusting at 81 miles per hour. 

The fire spread fast enough to engulf at least half the island at breakneck speeds.

The Hawaiian people of Maui are still continuing to recover from the events of the fire and with slow but steady progress, the island may eventually return back to its original state.