Emergency responders and cadaver dogs are seen searching through burned cars and homes for human remains in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Aug. 18. At least 114 people died in the Aug. 8 fire, making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire of the past century. © Sandy Hooper / USA TODAY NETWORK
Lahaina, Fire in Hawaii
(Honolulu, HI) – Hawaii Governor Josh Green is expressing his disappointment that sirens weren’t sounded during the Lahaina fire that’s now killed at least 114. Appearing on CBS’ Face the Nation, Green explained that the sirens are most typically used when tsunami alerts come in. Some have suggested that would have caused confusion and potentially sent people running for higher ground — which is where the flames were advancing from.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are visiting Hawaii today along with FEMA Director Deanne Criswell. Over 1,000 people remain missing. FBI and Department of Defense officials are helping with the search and recovery efforts. Criswell says the hope is some of those missing are in makeshift or emergency shelters, perhaps without internet or cell phone communication.
Compounding the tragedy is that a fire that broke out earlier in the day cancelled school, meaning many young children were home at the time when the fire destroyed Lahaina. There’s increasing worry many of those children are among the victims.
