Hawaii fire: Governor unable to predict exact casualties as death toll rises.
The Devastating Wildfires in Hawaii
The governor of Hawaii has expressed the difficulty in determining the number of people still unaccounted for following the state’s wildfires. Many individuals had to evacuate in a hurry, leaving their belongings behind, including their phones which were incinerated in the fires.
With the official death toll reaching 99, Governor Josh Green (D-HI) fears that this number could double in the coming days due to the challenges in contacting people affected by the wildfires.
Identifying the Victims
According to Green, authorities are set to release the names of those who lost their lives in the fire. To aid in the identification process, they are requesting DNA samples from family members of the missing. Shockingly, only three of the 99 victims have been identified through fingerprints.
The majority of the deceased were found in the open, in vehicles, or in the water in the Lahaina area of western Maui. These wildfires are now considered the deadliest in the United States in the past century.
Communities Coming Together
The wildfires have caused immense devastation to various towns and forests on the Hawaiian Islands, particularly the historical town of Lahaina. Approximately 2,207 structures have been destroyed or damaged, with residential buildings being the most affected.
Despite the destruction, the island community has shown incredible unity. They have provided housing for those displaced by the fires, offering 400 hotel rooms and 1,400 Airbnb units. Additionally, 160 individuals have opened their homes, resulting in 220 families finding temporary shelter.
As of late Monday night, Maui County reported that 85% of the Lahaina fire is contained, with additional fires in upcountry and Kula being 60% contained.
While the death toll continues to rise, only a quarter of the fire zone has been searched for victims as of Monday. However, Maui Police Chief John Pelletier remains hopeful that 85%-90% of the fire zone will be searched by the weekend.
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