August 8, 2023
Dry conditions and high winds from the unseasonably hot weather fueled the August 8, 2023 wildfires on the Hawaiian islands of Maui and Hawaii. This devastating event left extensive property damage, loss of life, and at least 1000 missing persons in the initial days of the fires. President Joseph Biden issued a declaration of major disaster to the affected areas on August 10. Emergency Response efforts are ongoing, due to challenges including inoperable emergency communication systems, power disruptions, and temporary shelter shortages.
Impact:
- 2,170 acres burned; appx. 3.4 square miles. (CBS News)
- 115 confirmed fatalities as of September 13, 2023 (New York Times)
- 41 missing persons (KHON)
- China and Russia started a disinformation campaign including AI generated photos and false information, impeding disaster response. (Hawaii News Now)
Related Resources:
HSDL Featured Topics: Wildfires | Extreme Heat
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