The death toll in Hawaii due to wildfires is continuing to climb, with Gov. Josh Green (D-HI) saying that search and recovery operations are likely to discover more remains on Maui.
Maui County announced on Sunday that 93 people have died from the wildfires, which began overnight on Aug. 8. The number of fatalities makes the wildfires, which have devastated forests and towns, the deadliest in over 100 years.
INFLATION COMPLICATES BIDEN'S PATH BACK TO THE WHITE HOUSE
Two people among the 93 dead have been identified, but their names have not been disclosed. Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said during a news conference on Saturday that only 3% of the search and recovery area had been covered.
Pelletier said the remains found are in delicate condition.
"We pick up the remains, and they fall apart," Pelletier said via NBC News. "So we have 200 people running through the scene yesterday, and some of you, that’s what you’re stepping on; I don't know how else you'd like me to describe it ... Give us a little bit of time."
The town of Lahaina was ravaged by the wildfires, with residents saying their community is now "burnt to a crisp." Much of the town's famous banyan tree, planted in 1873, has been burned in the fire, according to the town's website.
However, county officials said on Saturday that the tree remains standing and may survive.
Many people have asked about the famous Maui banyan tree. The tree has been damaged, but it serves as a sign of hope and recovery for Maui ???? pic.twitter.com/AaFrb3Tx2f
— Governor Josh Green (@GovJoshGreenMD) August 13, 2023
None of the 80 warning sirens placed around the island were activated in response to the devastating Lahaina fire, a spokesman for Hawaii's emergency management agency confirmed to the New York Times.
Green said officials are investigating why the sirens failed and if anything could have been done to activate the sirens earlier to warn residents about the wildfires.
The Hawaii governor said it is "impossible" to know what could have been done better while in the "throes in the acute part of a disaster."
"We'll know soon whether or not they're good enough to get those sirens going," Green said. "But there was massive destruction of telecommunications. Otherwise, we ourselves would have communicated with each other like we always do within seconds on our cellphones."
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
An estimated 2,207 structures were destroyed or damaged in Lahaina, with the majority of buildings impacted being residential, according to damage assessments.
Green said the total damage due to the wildfires is estimated at close to $6 billion, and it is likely the largest natural disaster in Hawaii's history.