World

 

Maui's wildfires have killed at least 55 people, a toll expected to rise, and unleashed destruction on the resort town of Lahaina that will take many years and billions of dollars to rebuild. However, Hawaii emergency management records show no indication that warning sirens were triggered before a devastating wildfire killed at least 55 people and wiped out a historic town.

 

 

The origins of the fires, which ignited on Tuesday night, remain undetermined. However, the National Weather Service issued and later revoked warnings for high winds and arid conditions that create a conducive environment for wildfires.

 

Notably, nearly 85% of US wildfires are human-caused, according to the US Forest Service, with natural triggers including lightning and volcanic activity. 

 

Remarkably, Hawaii experiences less than 1% of fires due to natural causes, Elizabeth Pickett of the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organisation explained, given the presence of six active volcanoes, one of which is on Maui.

 

This summer's unprecedented heat has fuelled severe wildfires in Europe and western Canada. Scientists attribute these extreme weather events, including the fires in Hawaii, to climate change intensified by the use of fossil fuels.

 

Governor Josh Green said the inferno that reduced much of Lahaina to smoldering ruins was the worst natural disaster in the state's history, making thousands of people homeless and leveling as many as 1,000 buildings.