Tag: fires

Maui’s top emergency official is out after failing to sound sirens as fires approached

Maui’s top emergency management official resigned Thursday, one day after he defended his decision not to sound warning sirens as wildfires swept across the island. The resignation of Herman Andaya, administrator of the county’s emergency management agency, was effective immediately, a county spokesperson said. A wildfire devastated the historic West Maui town of Lahaina on… Continue reading Maui’s top emergency official is out after failing to sound sirens as fires approached

How the fires created chaos

Monstrous, windswept wildfires ripped through the Hawaiian island of Maui last week, charring communities and killing at least 100 people. NBC News reconstructed a timeline of events based on public advisories, state government warnings, eyewitness accounts and videos posted on social media. Note: All times are local. Monday, Aug. 7 9:52 a.m.: Hawaii’s Emergency Management… Continue reading How the fires created chaos

Survivors of Maui fires set up their own aid network as trust in government falters

Mindful of the Hawaiian Islands’ sad history, community leaders moved quickly to take care of themselves rather than wait for help from Washington, Lansford said. “Our community is the one stepping up,” he said. “If you look at all of the different relief aid stops and centers, you’ll see there is a native Hawaiian in… Continue reading Survivors of Maui fires set up their own aid network as trust in government falters

Man died shielding beloved dog in fires identified, as search continues

Whenever she went anywhere with Franklin Trejos, Lahaina resident Shannon Weber-Bogar knew what to expect: an outing filled with seemingly endless stops so Trejos could check in on all of his friends. “I would get so irritated with him because we’d go to the store and he’d have to stop and say hi to everyone… Continue reading Man died shielding beloved dog in fires identified, as search continues

Pilot vacationing on Maui volunteered to fly plane as fires raged, helping 330 people get off island

A United Airlines pilot vacationing on Maui volunteered to fly a plane off the wildfire-engulfed island, helping 330 people get home safely.  Capt. Vince Eckelkamp, of Colorado, told NBC News on Tuesday he was scheduled to fly from Maui to Denver last Tuesday after a six-day vacation with his wife and daughter.  Around 4 a.m.… Continue reading Pilot vacationing on Maui volunteered to fly plane as fires raged, helping 330 people get off island

Biden went four days without talking about the Maui fires, and Republicans say that’s proof he’s not addressing the devastation

WASHINGTON — It’s the sort of split-screen moment that no White House relishes. While Maui counted its dead Sunday, President Joe Biden sat on the beach in Delaware, rode his bicycle and said little about the deadliest wildfire to hit the U.S. in a century. “We’re looking at it,” he said, pedaling past reporters who… Continue reading Biden went four days without talking about the Maui fires, and Republicans say that’s proof he’s not addressing the devastation

Maui fires could pose health risks due to chemicals in air, water

The fires that have been burning in Maui since Tuesday could pose long-term health risks to residents due to chemical compounds contaminating the air, water and wreckage, authorities and experts have warned. The Hawaii State Health Department cautioned Friday that ash and dust from burned buildings might carry toxic chemicals like asbestos and lead. Many destroyed… Continue reading Maui fires could pose health risks due to chemicals in air, water

Looters and land speculators move in after deadly Hawaii fires

Nearly a week after Maui was ravaged by the deadliest wildfires in more than a century, and as residents continue to wait for word about their missing loved ones, a new set of problems has emerged: looters and speculators trying to cash in on the tragedy. A local businessman said people desperate for gas and… Continue reading Looters and land speculators move in after deadly Hawaii fires

Russian warship fires warning shots on cargo ship in Black Sea

A Russian warship fired warning shots with automatic weapons on Sunday on a Palau-flagged dry cargo ship in the southwestern Black Sea as it made its way towards Ukraine, the Russian defense ministry said. Russia last month scuppered a U.N.-brokered grain deal that ensured Ukraine could get its agricultural produce to market via the Black… Continue reading Russian warship fires warning shots on cargo ship in Black Sea