LAHAINA, Hawaii – The death toll from a historic fire that roared through this Maui community rose to 93 on Sunday as teams armed with cadaver dogs picked through the devastation, marking the remnants of homes with a bright orange “X” to signify they had been searched − and “HR” to announce locations where human remains had been found.
A police roadblock kept some residents out of Lahaina, almost completely destroyed by the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. Over 1,800 homes were destroyed and hundreds of people remain missing. Maui Police Chief John Pelletier warned the search for the dead was far from over and that the death toll was likely to rise.
More than 1,600 people are being housed in shelters, Gov. Josh Green said. State agencies were coordinating with Maui County, the Red Cross, and FEMA to move the survivors into hotel rooms and vacation rentals, he said.
“Help is pouring in both locally and around the world as our hearts are with the people of Maui,” Green said in social media posts. “Mahalo (thank you) to the people on the ground working to bring our loved ones home.”
‘It’s heartbreaking’:‘It’s heartbreaking’: Without sufficient food and fuel, Maui locals lean on neighbors to survive deadly fires
Residents kept away from ravaged homes
Residents were being kept away from much of the five-square-mile area “full of our loved ones,” Pelletier said.
“Our primary objective is to ensure the proper handling and identification of deceased individuals while maintaining the safety of the community and public safety personnel on the scene,” he said.
Possible hazards remain such as toxic particles from smoldering embers, he said. Residents of the affected area will not be allowed to return until it has been declared safe by Hazmat teams and after the recovery has been completed, he said. Anyone entering the disaster area is subject to a misdemeanor crime punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine, Pelletier warned.
“We are asking for the public’s assistance to please be patient and not rush to return,” he said. “We understand that this is a trying time for everyone, and thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we work through this challenging period together.”
How you can help Maui fire victims
Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara, from the Hawaii State Department of Defense, asked those who want to donate supplies or volunteer to do so through the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. James Kunane Tokioka, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, said the governor has also asked people with vacant homes or vacation rentals to provide shelter for those in need.
Several shelters are open to assist those on the islands and several local organizations are collecting donations.
USA TODAY compiled resources for Americans to help people and animals in Hawaii here.
Contributing: The Associated Press
