Maui Fire Department Report: Hawaii AG Report Details Timeline and Contributing Factors to Deadly Maui Wildfires

HONOLULU– Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez on Wednesday released the first set of findings from an independent investigation into the deadly wildfires that broke out on the Hawaiian island of Maui last year, the deadliest natural disaster in the state’s history.

The video is from a previous report.

At least 101 people died in connection with the wildfires. Much of the historic city of Lahaina was destroyed by the fire that burned thousands of residential and commercial buildings to the ground. Thousands of people were left looking for temporary housing and faced unemployment.

According to Lopez’s office, the report looks at how the fire incidents unfolded and what happened next, over a 72-hour period.

The report does not address the cause of the wildfires.

The report details the timeline of events that took place on August 8, 2023, from the initial Olinda fire that broke out at approximately 12:22 a.m. to the first Lahaina fire at about 6:34 a.m. and the second fire from Lahaina that erupted later that day. around 2:55 pm and was uncontained and active for over a week.

According to the report, four fires started on August 8, including the Kula fire and the Pulehu fire.

Amid the Maui Fire Department’s efforts to combat the wildfires, trucks and equipment became trapped and entangled by fire and downed power lines, the report states.

The Lahaina bypass, the city’s main evacuation route, was affected by the fire, according to the report, with smoke, poor visibility and downed lines trapping evacuating civilians.

Local agencies, such as the county fire department, and local businesses, such as Hawaiian Electric, have been under scrutiny for their involvement in fire preparation, wildfire mitigation and wildfire response. However, the numerous agencies and companies involved have continued to accuse each other in the aftermath.

President & Hawaiian Electric CEO Shelee Kimura defended the company after the wildfires, saying that accusations of blame were “factually and legally irresponsible” and stating that the company’s investigation showed that it responded to both fires promptly. The company is facing several lawsuits related to the wildfires.

In response to the lawsuits, a company spokesperson told ABC News: “Our primary goal in the wake of this unimaginable tragedy has been to do everything we can to support not only the people of Maui, but also Maui County.”

Separately, the father of a woman who died in the Maui wildfires filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the County of Maui and the state of Hawaii, accusing them of negligence and wrongful conduct in allowing the fires to ignite or burn. spread without being contained or extinguished.

County and state representatives have not responded to ABC News’ requests for comment.

Maui officials have said the fires spread quickly due to very dry conditions, such as dry brush stemming from a drought combined with high winds. In the days before the Aug. 8 wildfire, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency issued a red flag warning of “gusty winds and dry fuels” creating an “extreme fire” risk.

State officials estimated there was more than $5.5 billion in damages.

The Maui Fire Department released its subsequent report Tuesday. The report does not mention the cause and origin of the wildfires, as it is still under investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, according to Maui County Fire Chief Brad Ventura. Until now, the report contained “recommendations and considerations” for future fire response efforts, including the need for more firefighting equipment such as trucks and water tankers.

“While I am incredibly proud of our department’s response, I believe we can always improve our efforts,” Ventura said at the news conference.

A statewide mutual aid program and evacuation plan for residents, including those who speak different languages, were also recommended.

When the office’s investigation is complete, the after-action report will be republished, according to officials.