The US department of health and human services has declared a public health emergency for Hawaii in response to the wildfires.
“We will do all we can to assist Hawaii officials with responding to the health impacts of the wildfires,” HHS secretary Xavier Becerra said.
“We are working closely with state and local health authorities, as well as our partners across the federal government, and stand ready to provide additional public health and medical support,” he added.
HHS’ Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response has deployed disaster response personnel from the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) to Hawaii to address the health impacts of the wildfires,” the department said.
The boat tour agency Maui Adventure Cruises said that its boats have burned in the Lahaina fires.
“We are devastated by the loss of life, homes, and businesses across Maui.
Our boats burned in the Lahaina fires. Though the future of our business is uncertain, we thank you for your thoughts. #mauistrong #mauifires #maui.”
Hawaii’s congresswoman Jill Tokuda said that she believes state officials underestimated the quickness and lethality of the Lahaina wildfire.
“It’s not like hurricane force winds are unknown to Hawaii, or dry brush, or red flag conditions,” Tokuda said on CNN when asked to address the wildfires in her home state, which were exacerbated by winds associated with a category four Hurricane Dora as it passed far to the south-west.
Tokuda went on to urge lawmakers to respond swiftly to the rebuilding process, saying:
“We need to be there to help them as they rebuild back. It’s going to take years, generations.”
The Guardian’s Henry Rounce has put together a video explainer of how the fires in Maui managed to spread so quickly:
The fires were exacerbated by the winds of a nearby hurricane and have been described as the US’s deadliest wildfire in over 100 years.
As many as 150 Red Cross disaster workers from Maui, other Hawaiian islands and other parts of the country have been deployed to Maui with more on their way.
On Saturday, the American Red Cross announced that once the hardest-hit areas become accessible, Red Cross teams will help with damage assessment and begin distributing relief supplies.
Red Cross disaster workers are supporting emergency shelters on Maui and Oahu. Moreover, the Red Cross shelter on Oahu has been helping Maui residents and tourists since the fires began.
The organization and its partners have also provided almost 2,900 overnight shelter stays.
Pope Francis has voiced his concerns towards victims impacted by the Lahaina fires in Maui, tweeting on Sunday:
“Let us #PrayTogether for the victims of the fires that have devastated the Hawaiian island of Maui.”
With over 2,200 structures burned to the ground in Lahaina, thousands of residents have been displaced.
Good morning, Maui wildfires blog readers.
Rescue efforts continue to go underway in Maui as first responders rush to search for victims affected by the Lahaina fires.
At least 93 people have died in what has become the deadliest US wildfire in over a century.
With over 2,200 structures damaged or destroyed and more than 2,100 acres scorched, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has estimated the cost to rebuild Maui to be around $5.5bn.
The Guardian has put together a visual guide to the devastating fires that tore through Lahaina earlier this week and prompted evacuations of thousands.
Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates on the wildfires.
Summarize this content to 100 words The US department of health and human services has declared a public health emergency for Hawaii in response to the wildfires.
“We will do all we can to assist Hawaii officials with responding to the health impacts of the wildfires,” HHS secretary Xavier Becerra said.
“We are working closely with state and local health authorities, as well as our partners across the federal government, and stand ready to provide additional public health and medical support,” he added.
HHS’ Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response has deployed disaster response personnel from the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) to Hawaii to address the health impacts of the wildfires,” the department said.The boat tour agency Maui Adventure Cruises said that its boats have burned in the Lahaina fires.
“We are devastated by the loss of life, homes, and businesses across Maui.
Our boats burned in the Lahaina fires. Though the future of our business is uncertain, we thank you for your thoughts. #mauistrong #mauifires #maui.”
Hawaii’s congresswoman Jill Tokuda said that she believes state officials underestimated the quickness and lethality of the Lahaina wildfire.“It’s not like hurricane force winds are unknown to Hawaii, or dry brush, or red flag conditions,” Tokuda said on CNN when asked to address the wildfires in her home state, which were exacerbated by winds associated with a category four Hurricane Dora as it passed far to the south-west.Tokuda went on to urge lawmakers to respond swiftly to the rebuilding process, saying:
“We need to be there to help them as they rebuild back. It’s going to take years, generations.”
The Guardian’s Henry Rounce has put together a video explainer of how the fires in Maui managed to spread so quickly:Why the Maui wildfires spread so devastatingly fast – videoThe fires were exacerbated by the winds of a nearby hurricane and have been described as the US’s deadliest wildfire in over 100 years.As many as 150 Red Cross disaster workers from Maui, other Hawaiian islands and other parts of the country have been deployed to Maui with more on their way.On Saturday, the American Red Cross announced that once the hardest-hit areas become accessible, Red Cross teams will help with damage assessment and begin distributing relief supplies.Red Cross disaster workers are supporting emergency shelters on Maui and Oahu. Moreover, the Red Cross shelter on Oahu has been helping Maui residents and tourists since the fires began.The organization and its partners have also provided almost 2,900 overnight shelter stays.Pope Francis has voiced his concerns towards victims impacted by the Lahaina fires in Maui, tweeting on Sunday:
“Let us #PrayTogether for the victims of the fires that have devastated the Hawaiian island of Maui.”
With over 2,200 structures burned to the ground in Lahaina, thousands of residents have been displaced.#PrayTogether for the victims of the devastating fires on the Hawaiian island of Maui. May they find strength, support, and comfort during this challenging time. Our thoughts are with the affected communities, and we hope for a swift recovery and restoration of the beautiful…— Nishant Sharma (@IamNishantSh) August 13, 2023
Good morning, Maui wildfires blog readers.Rescue efforts continue to go underway in Maui as first responders rush to search for victims affected by the Lahaina fires.At least 93 people have died in what has become the deadliest US wildfire in over a century.With over 2,200 structures damaged or destroyed and more than 2,100 acres scorched, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has estimated the cost to rebuild Maui to be around $5.5bn.The Guardian has put together a visual guide to the devastating fires that tore through Lahaina earlier this week and prompted evacuations of thousands.Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates on the wildfires.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2023/aug/13/hawaii-fires-lahaina-maui-death-toll-rises Hawaii fires: search for victims continues in Maui as death toll rises to 93 – latest updates | Hawaii fires