As wildfires ripped across Maui last August, a broad communications breakdown left authorities in the dark and residents without emergency alerts, according to a report released Wednesday.
Search and rescue team members work in a residential area devastated by a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Aug. 18, 2023.Search and rescue team members work in a residential area devastated by a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Aug. 18, 2023.
The Maui Emergency Management Agency posted to Facebook Aug. 6 about a"serious fire and damaging wind threat" due to ongoing dry conditions as Hurricane Dora passed. Fire crews had also been trapped in the inferno, according to staffing logs included in the report. Around 4:30 p.m., two engines were destroyed. A firefighter from one of the engines had to rescue the crews using a Maui Police Department SUV, according to the logs.The preliminary report also describes a breakdown in communication between police responders, firefighters and emergency officials after cellular networks went down.
On Aug. 8 at about 6:40 a.m. MPD Central Dispatch contacted Hawaiian Electric to relay a report that a powerline came down and started a fire in the area of Lahainaluna Road and Lahaina Intermediate. It reconstructs a detailed timeline of the Lahaina fire's spread using social media posts, dispatch records, communications between emergency personnel and other sources.
Fire department workers"risked their lives in a valiant effort to stop the spread of the fires and save lives," according to the report, and are now"grappling with questions about what they could have done differently, a reflection that will likely persist throughout the rest of their careers." Many of the factors that contributed to the disaster are already known: A windstorm battering the island had downed power lines and blown off parts of rooftops, and debris blocked roads throughout Lahaina.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cooler air returns Wednesday and another hard freeze Wednesday night | Live Doppler 13 Weather BlogIt is the first full day of spring and, oddly enough, it feels like winter in Indiana.
Read more »
First Alert Weather Day declared for Wednesday and Wednesday nightVery heavy rain, strong to severe storms and gusty winds are expected to impact the area.
Read more »
Native Hawaiians aim to bring cultural sensitivity to Maui wildfire cleanupA delicate cleanup is underway in historic Lahaina on Maui. Cultural monitors are working closely with federal officials to assure the process protects cultural and archeological artifacts.
Read more »
Native Hawaiians aim to bring cultural sensitivity to Maui wildfire cleanupA delicate cleanup is underway in historic Lahaina on Maui. Cultural monitors are working closely with federal officials to assure the process protects cultural and archeological artifacts.
Read more »
Maui officials slow to hand over documents in deadly fire investigation, AG saysPhase One of the investigation is set to analyze how the fire incident unfolded.
Read more »
Report: Communications breakdown exacerbated Maui fire’s impactMany of the factors that contributed to the disaster are already known: A windstorm battering the island had downed power lines and blown off parts of rooftops, and debris blocked roads throughout …
Read more »