Maui Wildfires Death Toll Rises, Evacuations Continue

Some West Maui residents were permitted to return home after the catastrophe, but a new fire prompted evacuations in Kaanapali, affecting around 1,100 people, according to Maui County police.

Maui has been battling three separate wildfires. The Lahaina fire's containment rose slightly to 85%, leading to a reduced threat in the town of the same name. Meanwhile, the Pulehu/Kihei fire was 80% contained, and the Upcountry Maui fire was at 50%.

Despite the fires encroaching upon Lahaina, emergency officials confirmed that Maui's warning sirens were not activated. Instead, three other alert systems were utilized, according to Hawaii Emergency Services Administration.

Survivors expressed concerns about the adequacy of emergency alerts during the crisis, contributing to the confusion in the midst of one of Hawaii's deadliest natural disasters. Some residents returned to their homes, only to find remnants of their properties amid the devastation. However, others remained uncertain about the fate of their loved ones.

Governor Josh Green and officials plan to provide further updates on the situation. Green has indicated that this could become Hawaii's most significant natural disaster since it achieved statehood in 1959.

As Hawaii grapples with wildfires across the Big Island and Maui, scientists across the US are assessing the ecological losses. Hawaii, constituting less than 1% of US land, is home to 44% of the country's endangered and threatened plant life. While certain native plants can recover from these wildfires, experts worry about significant losses without specific data available yet.