Maui Wildfire Update: Death Toll, Missing People, and Siren Use Issue

The head of Maui's emergency management agency has tendered an immediate resignation, citing health concerns, according to the latest Maui wildfire update reported by Maui County in a news release on Thursday.

Mayor Richard Bissen acknowledged the seriousness of the ongoing crisis. He expressed the intention to swiftly appoint a successor for this pivotal role. An announcement regarding the new appointment is anticipated soon.

The aftermath of the devastating wildfires that swept through Maui has left a trail of unimaginable destruction. It has prompted both questions and concerns about the response from officials, per CNN.

The Maui wildfire death toll has reached at least 111 individuals, including children. It continues to unfold as search efforts persist, uncovering devastation beyond comprehension.

Despite the grim reality already faced, the full scope of the tragedy is anticipated to worsen.

Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said the search for victims is only halfway completed, with most affected areas still awaiting examination.

The scale and impact of this disaster have caught many off guard, with Chief Pelletier stating, "No one has ever seen this that is alive today - not this size, not this number, not this volume."

The search teams are laboring tirelessly, sifting through the remains of over 2,000 homes and businesses consumed by the flames.

Maui Wildfire Update on Missing People

The number of unaccounted individuals remains a source of concern, with Hawaii Governor Josh Green indicating that the count is likely over 1,000.

The ongoing search for Maui wildfire missing people has pushed beyond the boundaries of Lahaina, extending to other communities that have been reduced to ashes by the fires.

As of Thursday, approximately 45% of the burned area had been covered by search efforts, AP reports.

Despite the heart-wrenching personal toll on responders, they persist in their mission, driven to recover their loved ones and community members.

The search efforts have not been without complications. Intermittent cellphone service and misleading information on social media have hindered coordination.

Additionally, locating individuals who might be in hospitals, makeshift shelters, or staying with friends has posed challenges.

Families have resorted to creating fliers and embarking on door-to-door searches in a desperate bid to reunite with their missing loved ones.

Maui Wildfire Update: Why Officials Did Not Use Sirens?

Amidst the tragedy, questions have emerged about the absence of sirens during the Maui wildfires.

Herman Andaya, Administrator of the Maui Emergency Management Agency, defended the decision not to activate sirens during the crisis, according to ABC News.

He explained that the protocol reserves coastal sirens exclusively for tsunami warnings, not wildfires.

Andaya reasoned that sounding the sirens might have inadvertently directed evacuees toward the advancing flames.

He also noted howling winds and indoor air conditioning would have made the sirens barely audible.

Moreover, the lack of sirens on the mountainside, where the fire was spreading, further complicated the matter.

Governor Josh Green echoed Andaya's stance, emphasizing that the expectation of a tsunami influenced the decision.

He stated, "That's what our mentality was."

The choice not to activate the sirens has garnered scrutiny, raising debates about the effectiveness of emergency protocols in the face of unforeseen disasters.

This is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Maui Wildfire Update - From Hawaii News Now