Why did the Hawaii Fire in the United States end here?, The number of deaths may increase significantly in the next 10 days | Death | Hawaii, USA

According to the latest statistics from Maui County, as of August 15th local time, the death toll from the Maui Island fire in Hawaii, USA has risen to 106.

A large fire broke out on Maui Island in Hawaii, USA on the 8th, and post disaster rescue efforts are still ongoing, with the death toll continuing to rise. According to American media reports, this fire is the deadliest in the United States for over a century.

The number of deaths in the next 10 days may increase significantly

The search operation may last for several weeks or a month

According to American media reports, over 2700 houses were destroyed in the fire, with approximately 1300 people lost. Local search and rescue personnel have searched one-third of the affected areas.

The local government stated that due to only searching about one-third of the burned area on Maui Island, the death toll may still increase significantly in the next 10 days. On the 15th, officials from Maoyi County stated that the identities of the four deceased have been confirmed.

The Governor of Hawaii, Josh Green, stated that the majority of the victims were in the La Haina area in the western part of Maui Island. Local search and rescue personnel dispatched about 20 search dogs, expanding the search range, and the search operation may last for several weeks or a month.

The local authorities have already carried out remains identification work. The Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency stated that due to the severe damage to many remains, it is currently very difficult to identify them. The police encourage missing relatives to provide DNA samples to accelerate the identification process.

Inadequate post disaster rescue and relief efforts exacerbate losses

But the government intends to allocate huge amounts of money to support Ukraine

The inadequate response of US government departments in disaster relief and post disaster relief greatly increased the harm caused by the fire.

According to American media reports, the US government's rescue efforts for this disaster were very lagging behind, and there was no trace of local governments in the early stages of rescue and relief work. Many people were very angry about this.

It is reported that although the local area has been threatened by various disasters for a long time, Hawaii has always lacked full-time field firefighters.

During the raging fire on the island of Maui, the sparse number of firefighters also faced the problem of water shortage. Many residents of Maui can only extinguish fires on their own.

For local residents, this disaster is undoubtedly a dual blow to their physical and psychological well-being. They can only watch helplessly as their houses, property, and even the lives of family and friends disappear into this raging fire and thick smoke. Many people express that they need psychological assistance.

At present, the local people of Maui Island have spontaneously organized themselves to rely on themselves and help each other.

A report published by The New York Times on the 13th stated that after the disaster, local volunteers formed a more reliable "lifeline" than federal and local agencies.

The disaster stricken residents of Maui Island have lost their homes, but the Biden administration has submitted an emergency funding application to the US Congress, requesting various types of support for Ukraine totaling over $20 billion, which has sparked criticism from US politicians.

The US government has not yet announced the cause of the fire

Local residents claim to have seen electric wires igniting grasslands

Currently, the official investigation into the cause of the fire in the United States has not been released.

According to local media reports, three legal companies have filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of the victims against Hawaiian Electric Power Company, accusing the company of not cutting off power before the onset of strong winds and suspecting that a blown down utility pole caused a fire.

On the day of the fire on the 8th, Shaun, a resident of Rahaina on the island of Maui, captured footage of electric wires igniting grasslands.

Shane then called the emergency department, and several water trucks arrived and extinguished the open flames. However, Shane recalled that smoke continued to spread even after the fire was extinguished.

A substation under the Hawaiian Electric Power Company experienced a pole collapse on the 8th, and the incident occurred near the initial fire point.

Toxic substances or pollution of the atmosphere and water sources after a fire

May bring long-term health risks

As of the 15th local time, although it has been a week since the fire started, some local residents and journalists who came to the hardest hit areas have stated that they can still smell the pungent smell of burning in the hardest hit area of La Haina.

The Hawaii Department of Health recently issued a warning that the smoke and ash from burning buildings contain toxic and harmful chemicals that can pollute local air and water sources, potentially posing long-term risks to human health.

At present, some severely affected areas on Maui Island have advised residents not to use or drink local water sources to avoid poisoning. Specific measures include avoiding bathing or swimming in swimming pools as much as possible. Even if the tap water is boiled, it should not be consumed and bottled water should be used for drinking and cooking.

The local government stated that these recommended measures will remain effective until the water quality test results return to normal.