An investigation of the catastrophic Maui wildfires that killed 101 people, destroyed hundreds of homes and left US$6 billion in damages reveals a spate of problems with emergency preparation and coordination before and during the disaster.
As wildfires ripped across Maui last August, the head of the emergency management agency dragged his heels about returning to the island amid the unfolding crisis, while a broad communications breakdown left authorities in the dark and residents without emergency alerts, according to a report released Wednesday.
The new report says that five days before the flames broke out, meteorologists issued a dire warning that strengthening winds resulting from a Pacific hurricane south of Hawaii could create an extreme risk of wildfires across the islands on Aug. 8.
By that time, multiple areas in Lahaina had been evacuated, a situation report produced by Andaya's own agency shows. Front Street had been closed along with the Lahaina bypass road, another key thoroughfare. In Lahaina alone, 29 utility poles were reported downed. There was no immediate response to attempts to reach Andaya, who resigned Aug. 18, via phone, email and social media.
They recounted how a police officer told other responders his daughter had been babysitting in a neighbourhood hit early by the fire. Without cell communications he had no way to check if she escaped. It took two days for him to confirm she was OK and had made it out.The attorney general's report is the first phase of a comprehensive assessment that includes a timeline of the 72 hours before, during and after the fire.
Tuesday's report by the fire chiefs association described firefighters who carried victims piggyback over downed power lines to safety and sheltered survivors inside their engines. Another first responder drove a moped into a burning neighbourhood again and again, whisking people away from danger one at a time.
The fire chiefs recommended that the Maui department keep all back-up vehicles ready to go. Extra engines that were on standby for large incidents took up to an hour to deploy, according to the report, because they needed to be stocked with the proper equipment. The report did not say what they were missing.
Police and electricity crews tried to direct people away from roads that were partially or completely blocked by power lines. Meanwhile, people trying to flee burning neighbourhoods packed the few thoroughfares in and out of town. The traffic jam left some trapped in their cars when the fire overtook them, and others who were near the ocean jumped in to escape.
Progress has been made on a new compensation model for family doctors, with the Alberta Medical Association hopeful for a fall rollout.Public Health Ontario workers say the potential closure of six laboratories across the province would be dangerous and increase inequity in northern Ontario.
Tesla will ask shareholders to reinstate a US$55 billion compensation package for CEO Elon Musk that was rejected by a judge in Delaware this year and to move the electric car maker's corporate home from Delaware to Texas.Tesla has hit a series of roadblocks, including increased competition and declining sales. The company announced Monday it is slashing 10 per cent of its global workforce.
B.C.'s police watchdog has finished its investigation into an incident on Vancouver Island, concluding the actions of officers weren't connected to a man's death.Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
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Communications breakdown left authorities in the dark and residents without alerts amid Maui fireHONOLULU (AP) — As wildfires ripped across Maui last August, the head of the emergency management agency dragged his heels about returning to the island amid the unfolding crisis, while a broad communications breakdown left authorities in the dark an
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Communications breakdown left authorities in the dark and residents without alerts amid Maui fireHONOLULU (AP) — As wildfires ripped across Maui last August, the head of the emergency management agency dragged his heels about returning to the island amid the unfolding crisis, while a broad communications breakdown left authorities in the dark an
Read more »
Communications breakdown left authorities in the dark and residents without alerts amid Maui fireHONOLULU (AP) — As wildfires ripped across Maui last August, the head of the emergency management agency dragged his heels about returning to the island amid the unfolding crisis, while a broad communications breakdown left authorities in the dark an
Read more »
Communications breakdown left authorities in the dark and residents without alerts amid Maui fireHONOLULU (AP) — As wildfires ripped across Maui last August, the head of the emergency management agency dragged his heels about returning to the island amid the unfolding crisis, while a broad communications breakdown left authorities in the dark an
Read more »
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