With dozens of people still unaccounted for, the conflagration that has caused widespread devastation across the Hawaiian island of Maui is now the fifth-deadliest wildland fire in U.S. history.
The shells of burned cars and buildings are left after wildfires driven by high winds burned across most of the town in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, Aug. 11, 2023.With dozens of people still unaccounted for, the conflagration that has causedacross the Hawaiian island of Maui is now the fifth-deadliest wildland fire in U.S. history.
As of Monday, Maui emergency officials said 96 people have been confirmed dead in the fire, and cautioned that the death toll will likely climb.ABC News Photo Illustration, National Fire Protection Association, Cal FireAs in previous massive wildland blazes across the nation, the Maui fire was fueled by a combination of drought-parched landscapes and strong winds, officials said.
While Hawaii's history of natural disasters includes floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic lava flows, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen told ABC News that he has never seen the type of devastation caused by the wildfire."The closest thing I can compare it to is perhaps a war zone or maybe a bomb went off," Bissen said.
An illustration of The Great Fire of Peshtigo in Wisconsin 1871, shows people trying to run and flee the fire in a chaotic scene.The deadliest known wildland fire in the United States, and in the world, remains the 1871 conflagration in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, which killed 1,547 people.
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.
Hawaiian actor Jason Momoa implores public not to visit Maui as wildfire devastation rages onJason Momoa urged followers to not travel to Maui amid the devastation from the wildfires, saying people should 'not convince' themselves they're needed.
Read more »
Hawaiian couple sues power companies over Lahaina destruction amid historic Maui wildfiresHawaiian couple Monica and Rede Eder is suing four different power companies in Hawaii, accusing them of ignoring warnings to turn off power amid the historic wildfire conditions.
Read more »
Hawaiian Electric shares drop 30% on concern about potential liability from Maui wildfiresA class-action lawsuit alleges the destruction 'could have been avoided' if the Hawaiian Electric hut down power before the high winds hit.
Read more »
Hawaii's churches offer prayers for the dead and the missing after Maui wildfiresHawaiian officials urged tourists to avoid traveling to Maui.
Read more »
Maui Officials Clarify Reports Oprah Winfrey Denied Entry into Maui ShelterOprah Winfrey was reportedly denied entry into a Maui shelter where wildfire survivors were seeking refuge ... but officials on the island are looking to clear it all up.
Read more »
Maui Wildfires Blaze, Persian Gulf Region Suffers Under Brutal Heat - CleanTechnicaRampaging wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui have killed at least 36 people and devastated Lahaina, the former capital of the Hawaiian
Read more »