By: Jessica Jin

On Tuesday, August 8, the most brutal wildfires Hawaii has ever faced began in Lahaina, western Maui. Most of the fire is now contained, but part of the fire is still not extinguished. They began as a small brush fire getting blown by dry wind. The fires spread extremely fast, making them very dangerous.

Around the 1900s, nonnative grass from Africa was introduced to Maui. They were brought to Hawaii because they were able to grow in drought climates. But these grasses were also invasive species and ended up taking over most of the land in Lahaina. The grass also was highly flammable, causing the wildfire in Maui to spread fast across Lahaina.

The death toll has already reached 96, and it’s likely to continue to rise. Maui’s police officers say that they have put out fires and searched at least five square miles of land in Lahaina. With the rest of the land yet to be contained, the death toll will most likely grow.

Firefighters aren’t the only ones working on the destroyed land in Maui. When the fires are out, cadaver dogs and their handlers search through the ruins for victims from the fire. The dogs sniff for deceased through the rumble and bark when they think they found anything so they can alert their caretaker. Sadly, it’s very difficult to identify the victims from the fire.

In the areas where the fire is put out, the once lush and bright land is now colorless and dark. The fire took the lives of many and the possessions of many more. It will take a long time for everything to recover. But as governor Josh Green says, “We can only wait and support those who are living. Our focus now is to reunite people when we can and get them housing and get them healthcare, and then turn to rebuilding.”