Maui wildfires leave many injured and 115 dead.
On Aug. 8 2023, four fires unexpectedly started in Kula, a city in the central part of Maui. Maui Officers reported that the fires traveled for about 10.4 square miles before they were extinguished. Fires were not fully put out until Aug. 27. Over 2,200 buildings were damaged in the fires, with 86% of the building being residential. This has left many Maui residents without a home. Historical sites, parks and grocery stores were also burned in the fires.
While still being under investigation, Maui Officers reported that the fires were started by high winds that brought down power poles. The high winds were created by a hurricane that had hit Maui earlier in the month. The power lines were bare and did not have a protective covering, causing them to spark as soon as they hit the grass.
According to some local Maui residents, many citizens had been asking for the power lines to be covered with protective wrapping. However, the city had not put in the precautions. This has led many residents to be angry and upset. Many of the houses in the Kula area were made out of wood and brick, allowing them to be easily burned down in the fires.
Maui governor, John Green, spoke about the incident telling CNN news that this is likely the “largest natural disaster in Hawaii’s state history.” He goes on to say that Maui residents are scared and at a loss on how to come back from this experience.
All in all this was a traumatic event in Hawaii history, leaving many to struggle and be without shelter.
Written by Emma Gregory
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