Maui wildfires updates: President Biden, first lady get firsthand look at damage

The fires burned thousands of homes and commercial buildings to the ground.

The deadly wildfires that erupted on the Hawaiian island of Maui on Aug. 8 have become the deadliest natural disaster in state history, officials said.

The blazes spread rapidly due to very dry conditions stemming from a drought combined with powerful winds. Much of the historic town of Lahaina has been "destroyed," officials said, and the inferno has burned thousands of residential and commercial buildings to the ground.

Maui Wildfires
ABC News, AP, Nasa

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news developed. All times Eastern.
Aug 17, 2023, 5:36 am

Maui Strong: Charities to directly support wildfire relief efforts

On Thursday, "Good Morning America" and ABC News organized efforts to help viewers get involved in relief efforts for survivors of the Maui fires.

"Good Morning America" is helping raise awareness for Maui fire relief efforts.
ABC News

How to help:

-- Maui Strong Fund

-- Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement

-- University of Hawai'i Foundation

-- Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund for Maui

-- American Red Cross/ABC

-ABC News’ Kelly McCarthy

Aug 16, 2023, 11:55 am

What we know about the victims

Over 100 people have died from the devastating wildfires on Maui. Officials have warned that the death toll is expected to rise as they work to contain the active blazes and assess the damage.

Click here to read what we know about some of the victims.

PHOTO: In an undated photo, Buddy Jantoc, center, is seen with his granddaughter Keshia Alakai and her husband.
In an undated photo, Buddy Jantoc, center, is seen with his granddaughter Keshia Alakai and her husband. Courtesy of The Family of Buddy Jantoc
Courtesy of The Family of Buddy Jantoc

Aug 14, 2023, 4:52 PM EDT

How the Maui wildfires took over the island day by day

Wildfires crept up on Maui residents and tourists on Aug. 8, as a perfect storm of strong winds and dry conditions left the island vulnerable to what state officials say has become the deadliest natural disaster in the state's history.

Aug 14, 2023, 3:03 PM EDT

FEMA chief says Maui resources so far are 'right amount'

Deanne Criswell, the administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, told reporters during a briefing at the White House Monday that she believes the government has enough resources and staff on the ground in Maui.

"At this point, I have no awareness of anything that we have not been able to meet, and we'll continue to build up our presence here on the island to support this," Criswell said when asked by ABC News' Mary Bruce if there were any delays.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell appears on a screen as she joins White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre for a press briefing at the White House, Aug. 14, 2023, in Washington.
Evan Vucci/AP

She also emphasized that FEMA is continuing to work on better understanding what’s needed and what might be needed "a week from now, two weeks from now."

White House press secretary Karine Jean Pierre said there are currently over 300 FEMA employees, 50,000 meals, 75,000 liters of water, 5,000 cots and 10,000 blankets on the ground.

Criswell added the agency has "the right amount of personnel on the ground integrated with the local officials" to conduct search and recovery missions.

Criswell declined to give a timeline on how long that search would take.

-ABC News' Cheyenne Haslett

Aug 14, 2023, 5:58 AM EDT

Latest wind forecast for Hawaii

Winds are expected to increase in Hawaii this week as another high pressure builds to the north and a tropical cyclone passes to the south. However, they won’t be as strong as they were last week.

A map shows the wind forecast for Hawaii, Aug. 15, 2023.
ABC News

The latest weather forecast shows gusts will exceed 30 mph across the archipelago state from Tuesday through Thursday.

The wind speeds are forecast to ease by Friday.

A map shows the wind forecast for Hawaii, Aug. 15, 2023.
ABC News

This comes as firefighters struggle to contain deadly wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

-ABC News' Max Golembo

Aug 14, 2023, 4:26 AM EDT

Death toll rises to 96

At least 96 people have died from the wildfires on Maui, authorities said.

The Maui Police Department confirmed on Wednesday night that the number of fatalities has increased to 96, after three more bodies were recovered.

Officials on the Hawaiian island have repeatedly warned that the death toll will continue to rise as they work to contain the blazes and assess the damage.

-ABC News' Amanda Morris

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