[Image of a wildfire. Photo credit: Unsplash]

Maui, the second-largest island of Hawaii, experienced a tragic relay of flames.

This fire took everyone by surprise, as there weren’t any previous signs indicating its occurrence. 

The wildfire in Maui was first reported on August 8th and continue to spread  

rapidly over the following weeks.

By August 12th, it was reported that the Pulehu-Kihei fire had been completely extinguished.

The exact acres burned in this large fire remains unclear, but on August 15th, officials estimated that approximately 3,200 acres were consumed by the flames.

Maui, with a total area of 735 square miles, saw more than 10 square miles destroyed by this tragic fire. 

While the exact cause of the Maui fire remains unknown, officials have concluded that the fire seems to have started due to the dry and windy conditions prevailing at the time.

The Hawaiian Electric Company faced criticism for not shutting off power during the high winds and dry weather.

As stated by the Hawaiian Electric Company, “...appears to have been caused by power lines that fell in high winds…”

After AP analyzed videos and images, the wires were confirmed as the likely ignition source.

The biggest problem arising from this disaster is the widespread destruction it caused. 

This fire greatly affected downtown Lahaina the most, killing over 115 people and destroying at least 2,000 buildings and homes. 

These numbers are approximate, as the full extent of the damage cannot be precisely determined due to the extensive destruction.

As Maui is a popular tourist destination,the fire resulted in an evacuation of visitors  all fleeing back to Kahului Airport to return home.

According to a Hawaii Tourism Authority news release, approximately 46,000 people, if not more, left the island.

They also added that the number of tourists trying to visit Maui has drastically decreased. 

In addition to the physical damage, there are legal issues to address.The county will have to determine who is responsible for the damages and how to handle the legal claims arising from this event.

Maui county has accused the Hawaiian Electric Company of being responsible and expects them to assume responsibility, but an official announcement regarding responsibility has not yet been made public. 

This fire has been a devastating disaster, causing many to lose their homes and affecting lives in numerous ways.

The city, once a historical gem in Hawaii, has been significantly damaged, with many buildings no longer standing as they once did.

While efforts to contain the fire are ongoing, Maui, Hawaii is still grappling with the aftermath of this devastating event.