Maui wildfires updates: President Biden, first lady tour damage

The fires burned thousands of homes and commercial buildings to the ground.

The deadly wildfires that erupted on the Hawaiian island of Maui on Aug. 8 have become the deadliest natural disaster in state history, officials said.

The blazes spread rapidly due to very dry conditions stemming from a drought combined with powerful winds. Much of the historic town of Lahaina has been "destroyed," officials said, and the inferno has burned thousands of residential and commercial buildings to the ground.

Maui Wildfires
ABC News, AP, Nasa

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news developed. All times Eastern.
Aug 17, 2023, 5:36 am

Maui Strong: Charities to directly support wildfire relief efforts

On Thursday, "Good Morning America" and ABC News organized efforts to help viewers get involved in relief efforts for survivors of the Maui fires.

"Good Morning America" is helping raise awareness for Maui fire relief efforts.
ABC News

How to help:

-- Maui Strong Fund

-- Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement

-- University of Hawai'i Foundation

-- Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund for Maui

-- American Red Cross/ABC

-ABC News’ Kelly McCarthy

Aug 16, 2023, 11:55 am

What we know about the victims

Over 100 people have died from the devastating wildfires on Maui. Officials have warned that the death toll is expected to rise as they work to contain the active blazes and assess the damage.

Click here to read what we know about some of the victims.

PHOTO: In an undated photo, Buddy Jantoc, center, is seen with his granddaughter Keshia Alakai and her husband.
In an undated photo, Buddy Jantoc, center, is seen with his granddaughter Keshia Alakai and her husband. Courtesy of The Family of Buddy Jantoc
Courtesy of The Family of Buddy Jantoc

Aug 11, 2023, 10:18 AM EDT

14,900 visitors left Maui on flights Thursday

As the wildfires continue to rage, 14,900 visitors left Maui on flights Thursday, according to Maui County.

Visitors wanting to leave Maui have been asked to book flights off the island. They can book flights to Honolulu, then continue on another flight to the Mainland.

PHOTO: People gather at the Kahului Airport while waiting for flights Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, in Kahului, Hawaii. Several thousand Hawaii residents raced to escape homes on Maui as the Lahaina fire swept across the island.
People gather at the Kahului Airport while waiting for flights Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, in Kahului, Hawaii. Several thousand Hawaii residents raced to escape homes on Maui as the Lahaina fire swept across the island, killing multiple people and burning parts of a centuries-old town.
Rick Bowmer/AP

-ABC News' Jennifer Watts

Aug 11, 2023, 7:38 AM EDT

Lahaina looks like 'a war zone,' Maui County mayor says

Devastating wildfires on Maui have left its historic town of Lahaina looking like "a war zone," according to Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen.

He recently toured the damage with other local and state officials for the first time.

"The closest thing I can compare it to is perhaps a war zone or maybe a bomb went off," Bissen told ABC News' Eva Pilgrim in an interview Friday on "Good Morning America."

"It was cars in the street, doors open, you know, melted to the ground," he added. "Most structures no longer exist and for blocks and blocks of this."

Maui County mayor Richard Bissen speaks to "Good Morning America" about the wildfires impacting the island, Aug. 11, 2023.
ABC News

The mayor, who grew up on Maui, said he's familiar with Lahaina. His mother worked at one of the local restaurants for 17 years.

"It doesn't resemble anything that it looked like when I was growing up," he said.

As the death toll from the wildfires continues to climb, authorities are bringing in cadaver dogs to search for more victims, according to the mayor.

"So we will be increasing our area that we can search," Bissen said.

Destroyed homes and buildings burned to the ground in Lahaina in the aftermath of wildfires in western Maui, Hawaii.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Nevertheless, the mayor remained hopeful that Maui "will rebuild." President Joe Biden has signed an emergency declaration for the Hawaiian island, allowing access to federal assets and funds, which Bissen said they "intend" to use. There's also been "an outpouring of so much donations and offers of help," according to the mayor.

"There is so much support," he said. "Right now, our focus is on fighting the fires, saving lives where we can or preventing further harm, of course property as well. We'll get to the investigative stage when that's appropriate."

While Lahaina and the west side of Maui has been shut down amid the active wildfires, Bissen noted that the rest of the island remains open.

Aug 11, 2023, 3:54 AM EDT

Death toll climbs to 55 on Maui

At least 55 people have died as wildfires tear through the Hawaiian island of Maui, officials said.

Two more fatalities were confirmed on Thursday night amid the active Lahaina fire, bringing the death toll to 55, according to a press release from Maui County.

A total of 19 deaths were confirmed on Thursday and 36 were confirmed on Wednesday, according to Maui County.

Officials have repeatedly said that they expect the death toll to rise.

Aug 10, 2023, 10:51 PM EDT

Maui wildfires 'likely the largest natural disaster in state’s history': Governor

The wildfires that have devastated Maui are "likely the largest natural disaster in Hawaii’s state history,” Gov. Josh Green said during a press briefing Thursday evening.

Green went on to call the wildfires “catastrophic” and said the state is seeking 2,000 hotel rooms to help the displaced people of Maui.

The governor said “we will continue” seeing loss of life. At least 53 people have died from the wildfires, officials said earlier in the day.

Green also called on residents to help, saying: “If you have additional space in your home, if you have the capacity to take someone in from West Maui, please do.”

After surveying the damage earlier in the day, Green estimated it will take billions of dollars and many years to rebuild Lahaina, and he estimates well over 1,000 buildings were destroyed.

Officials still don’t know exactly how many people are missing, according to Maui County Police Chief John Pelletier.

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