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Hawaii residents continued to try to find missing loved ones Friday after wildfires ripped through Maui, killing at least 67 people, with the search for victims ongoing. It could take a week or longer before Maui officials have a final death toll.
Maui County Mayor Richard T. Bissen Jr. told NBC’s “Today” show on Friday that the death toll consists of people whose bodies have been found outdoors. Rescue teams have not yet searched inside buildings for victims, he said.
Bissen added that the strong winds that fueled the wildfires put the emergency siren system in “an impossible situation” to properly warn residents to evacuate the area.
Nearly 11,000 people remained without power on Maui as of Friday, according to PowerOutage.us.
None of the four major fires that erupted on Maui on Tuesday are fully contained, Maui County Fire Chief Bradford Ventura said. Ventura — who said the wildfire that caused widespread damage in Lahaina was 80 percent contained as of Thursday morning — cautioned that there is still “potential for rapid fire behavior.”
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Recent Maui Wildfires
The recent Maui wildfires have had a devastating impact on the local community. Thousands of acres of beautiful landscapes have been engulfed in flames, putting both the environment and homes at risk. Many families have been affected, and the urgent need for aid is critical. The aftermath of these wildfires has left a trail of destruction, and assistance is required immediately.