55 perish in Maui wildfires

Hawaii Governor Josh Green said the recent string of Maui wildfires could become the largest natural disaster in the state’s history. The fires destroyed more than 1,000 businesses and homes and decimated the town of Lahaina. Aerial footage shows blocks of smoldering ashes throughout the city. One resident described Lahaina as nothing but “ash and dust.” Authorities expect the death toll to rise and have deployed cadaver dogs for search and rescue efforts.

How did the fires get started? Authorities remain unsure how it ignited on Tuesday. Winds from Hurricane Dora made the fire truly devastating by allowing the flames to grow and quickly spread across the dry terrain. Green said the fires displaced thousands and that recovery from the damage would take years. Fires were still burning Friday afternoon.

Dig deeper: Read Sarah Schweinsberg’s report in WORLD Magazine on California’s wildfire suppression tactics.