Some are blaming powerlines for igniting the Maui fires in Hawaii. Here's what we know
1 year, 4 months ago

Some are blaming powerlines for igniting the Maui fires in Hawaii. Here's what we know

ABC  

The wildfire on the Hawaiian island of Maui has been one of the deadliest in a century. Mikal Watts, one of the lawyers behind a lawsuit against the electric company, told the AP this week that he was in Maui, interviewing witnesses and "collecting contemporaneously filmed videos". "There is credible evidence, captured on video, that at least one of the powerline ignition sources occurred when trees fell into a Hawaiian Electric powerline," he said. A royal commission investigating the fires found the state had a "long history of electricity assets causing bushfires", including major incidents in 1969 and 1977. "This history was repeated on 7 February 2009, when five of the 11 major fires that began that day were caused by failed electricity assets; among the fires was that at Kilmore East, as a result of which 119 people died," the royal commission's final report noted.

History of this topic

Things to know about the investigations into the deadly wildfire that destroyed a Maui town
2 months, 3 weeks ago
Deadly Maui fire erupted from earlier blaze believed to have been extinguished, investigation finds
2 months, 3 weeks ago
Maui Fire to release cause report on deadly US wildfire
2 months, 3 weeks ago
Deadly Maui fire sparked by earlier blaze believed to have been extinguished, investigation finds
2 months, 3 weeks ago
Things to know about about the deadly wildfire that destroyed the Maui town of Lahaina
3 months, 1 week ago
Report Finds 'No Evidence' Hawaii Officials Prepared For Wildfire Despite Warnings
3 months, 1 week ago
Report finds ‘no evidence’ Hawaii officials prepared for wildfire that killed 102 despite warnings
3 months, 1 week ago
‘We’re going to survive and it’s going to come back’: A year after Maui wildfire, Lahaina presses on
4 months, 2 weeks ago
Maui officials highlight steps toward rebuilding as 1-year mark of deadly wildfire approaches
5 months, 4 weeks ago
Hawaii wildfire death toll rises to 102 after woman determined to have died from fire injuries
6 months ago
Takeaways from this week’s reports on the deadly 2023 Maui fire that destroyed Lahaina
8 months, 1 week ago
Maui fire: Report details how it was no match for unprecedented blazes
8 months, 1 week ago
Communications breakdown left authorities in the dark and residents without alerts amid Maui fire, report says
8 months, 1 week ago
Maui Fire Department report on deadly wildfire details need for more equipment and mutual aid plans
8 months, 1 week ago
Scientists have a new theory on why the Maui wildfires were so devastating
11 months, 3 weeks ago
She died weeks after fleeing the Maui wildfire. Her family fought to have her listed as a victim
11 months, 4 weeks ago
Heart of Hawaii's historic Lahaina, burned in wildfire, reopens to residents and business owners
1 year ago
The power was out before the fires started. Then Hawaiian Electric flipped the switch.
1 year, 1 month ago
Bodycam video shows police saving residents from Maui wildfire, keeping people out of burn zone
1 year, 1 month ago
Maui police release 16 minutes of body camera footage from day of Lahaina wildfire
1 year, 1 month ago
AP Exclusive: 911 calls from deadly Lahaina wildfire reveal terror and panic in the rush to escape
1 year, 2 months ago
AP Exclusive: 911 calls from deadly Lahaina wildfire reveal terror and panic in the rush to escape
1 year, 2 months ago
Many questions but few answers in congressional hearing on Maui’s wildfire and electric provider
1 year, 2 months ago
Takeaways from AP report on Maui fire investigation
1 year, 2 months ago
An old car tire, burnt trees and a utility pole may be key in finding how the Maui wildfire spread
1 year, 2 months ago
Things to know about aid, lawsuits and tourism nearly a month after fire leveled a Hawaii community
1 year, 3 months ago
Forecasters are warning gusty winds and low humidity raise risk of fires spreading rapidly in Hawaii
1 year, 3 months ago
Unclear how many in Lahaina lost lives as Hawaii authorities near the end of their search for dead
1 year, 3 months ago
Hawaii power utility takes responsibility for first fire on Maui, but faults county firefighters
1 year, 3 months ago
Hawaiian Electric says power lines started morning fire on August 8, but not afternoon Lahaina Fire
1 year, 3 months ago
US: Bush fire near site of deadly Maui blaze prompts authorities to evacuate citizens
1 year, 3 months ago
Bare electrical wire and leaning poles on Maui were possible cause of deadly fires
1 year, 3 months ago
Maui County sues power company, saying it didn’t turn off electricity during wildfires
1 year, 4 months ago
Lahaina wants closure. Authorities plead for patience
1 year, 4 months ago
Maui County sues power company, saying utility did not turn off electricity during deadly wildfires
1 year, 4 months ago
Maui fires latest news: California woman named as first tourist among victims as residents start returning home
1 year, 4 months ago
Maui government files lawsuit, accuses Hawaiian electric company of causing Lahaina wildfires
1 year, 4 months ago
Maui County sues Hawaiian Electric Co. for damages from disastrous fires
1 year, 4 months ago
In deadly Maui fires, many had no warning and no way out. Those who dodged a barricade survived
1 year, 4 months ago
Global firestorm: A summer of infernos in Canada, Greece, Hawaii and beyond point to the future
1 year, 4 months ago
Maui town ravaged by fire will 'rise again,' Hawaii governor says of long recovery ahead
1 year, 4 months ago
‘Lahaina belongs to its people’: Hawaii governor insists fire-ravaged Maui community will be rebuilt as search efforts continue
1 year, 4 months ago
Hawaii wildfires: A brief history of natural disasters blighting the tropical paradise
1 year, 4 months ago
‘Heaven on Earth’ turned deadly: Fire exposes Maui’s shocking lack of preparation
1 year, 4 months ago
On Maui, another fire is burning but capturing less attention than Lahaina
1 year, 4 months ago
Maui wildfires map : Where are the fires in Hawaii?
1 year, 4 months ago
Maui’s emergency management chief resigns, citing health reasons, a day after he defended sirens’ silence during deadly wildfires
1 year, 4 months ago
Hawaii wildfire: Residents restless as 86% of buildings damaged, 101 dead
1 year, 4 months ago
In the ruins of Lahaina, a surfing legend leads a volunteer army to get supplies to survivors
1 year, 4 months ago

Discover Related