Sat Sep 14 03:56:00 UTC 2024: ## Maui Wildfire Report: Complex Factors, Decades-Old Infrastructure Blamed, Immediate Action Urged

**Honolulu, HI** – The state Department of the Attorney General released its second phase of findings today into the devastating Lahaina wildfires that claimed the lives of 102 individuals and left thousands homeless. The report, prepared by the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), concluded that a complex interplay of factors, including weather, risk, infrastructure, and organizational structure, contributed to the disaster.

The report found that Hawaii faces an exceptionally high risk of wildfire, with Lahaina specifically experiencing a risk 98% higher than the national average. Attorney General Anne E. Lopez stressed the urgency of addressing these findings, stating, “The risk is real, is a present danger, and climate change will only make things worse.”

The report highlights three critical areas for improvement:

* **Perception of Risk:** The need for heightened awareness of wildfire risk at all levels of government and within the community.
* **Decades-Old Infrastructure:** Outdated standards in areas like community planning, codes, public utilities, and vegetation management were identified as contributing factors.
* **Incident Management:** The report found that the siloed command structure during the August 8 fires hindered communication and coordination between responding agencies and the public.

The report emphasizes the dense urban layout of Lahaina as a contributing factor to the rapid spread of the fire, creating evacuation challenges.

The official cause and origin of the fire remain undetermined. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigation is ongoing, with no public release timeline.

The 518-page report includes 84 unique findings and 140 recommendations for improving wildfire preparedness, vegetation management, communication, and collaboration between stakeholders. However, the report acknowledges data gaps due to the County of Maui’s inability to provide certain requested data, highlighting a need for enhanced data collection and analysis in future investigations.

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