Over 1,000 Missing After Hawaii Wildfires

Hawaii's Governor, Josh Green, announced that over 1,000 individuals remain missing in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires that swept through Maui County.

Green explained that the remaining 15% of the fire-affected area poses more complexity due to the presence of larger structures that may necessitate the removal of floors and structures.

He also acknowledged that the final phase of the search may not yield the hoped-for results, as some remains could be unrecoverable.

He disclosed that with the elevated temperatures resulting from the fires, rescue teams may not be able to retrieve remains in some cases."

Regarding the absence of evacuation sirens when the fire ignited in Maui County, Green admitted that the decision to not sound the alarms was made as they typically indicate a tsunami threat.

He clarified that officials chose not to activate evacuation sirens out of concern that residents might retreat indoors, which is an inappropriate response in the face of rapidly spreading wildfires.