Death Toll Reaches 80... Most Cultural Heritage Sites Also Destroyed
Major Affected Areas Have Many Wooden Buildings, Increasing Damage
As a large wildfire continues for the fifth day on Maui Island, Hawaii, the cost of restoring the affected areas is estimated to exceed approximately 7 trillion won. The officially confirmed damaged area is three times the size of Yeouido in Seoul.
Maui County on the 12th (local time) released wildfire damage investigation results from the Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) and the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
According to the report, as of the 11th, the burned area in the major affected region of West Coast Lahaina was identified as a total of 2,170 acres (8.8 km²). This is nearly three times the size of Yeouido (2.9 km²). The Lahaina area mostly consists of wooden buildings such as houses and commercial establishments, which contributed to the extensive fire damage.
Additionally, wildfires have also occurred in two locations in the northern region of the main island of Hawaii. Including these areas where the wildfire is still ongoing, the scale of damage is expected to increase further.
The total number of buildings damaged or completely destroyed in Lahaina reached 2,207. Buildings affected by the fire totaled 2,719, of which 86% were residential. The remaining 9% were commercial, 2.4% educational, and 1.1% industrial. The estimated cost required for rebuilding this area is $5.52 billion, approximately 7.35 trillion won.
Notably, Lahaina was the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii in the early 19th century, and most of its culturally significant historic sites were destroyed.
Furthermore, the number of people who lost their homes and evacuated to other areas was counted at 4,500. However, according to the 2020 statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Lahaina was 12,702, and among them, some are staying with family or relatives. Considering this, local media estimate that the number of displaced persons exceeds 10,000.
County authorities stated that as of the previous day, 1,418 people were accommodated in six emergency shelters, and the number of missing persons has not yet been disclosed. The death toll rose to 80 as of 9 p.m. the previous day.
Fire suppression has made some progress compared to the day before. As of 3 p.m. the previous day, the Lahaina area was 85% contained, the central coastal areas of Pulelehu and Kihei were 80% contained, and the central inland Upcountry area was 50% contained.
However, the risk of re-ignition remains. Around 6:10 p.m. the previous day, another fire broke out in Kaanapali, about 7 km north of Lahaina.
This fire occurred at a location where authorities were distributing gasoline and diesel to about 400 residents' vehicles. Because of this, residents in the area evacuated urgently, but the fire was fully extinguished around 8:30 p.m., approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes later.
Meanwhile, experts analyze that this wildfire is a disaster caused by climate change. Hawaii Governor Josh Green also stated in a press briefing, "We are now witnessing the impact of climate change on the island." Additionally, the spread of invasive plant species that ignite more easily, displacing native vegetation and covering Hawaii, has been identified as a cause.
The New York Times pointed out, "It is especially shocking that such a fire occurred in Hawaii, which is far from a dry environment and is densely vegetated."
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