The Maui Fire Department issued a report on Tuesday detailing how it responded to the devastating flames that erupted on the Hawaiian island of Maui last year, the state’s deadliest natural catastrophe in history.
The cause and origin of the flames are not mentioned in the after-action report because they are still being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Maui County Fire Chief Brad Ventura said at a press conference Tuesday.
Officials say they will rerelease the after-action report after the investigation is complete.
Tuesday’s freshly released study contains a presentation of 17 “recommendations and considerations” in the aftermath of the disasters.
“While I am extremely proud of our department’s response, I believe we can always improve,” Ventura stated during the press conference.
Among the recommendations was the need for additional firefighting equipment, such as trucks and water tanks.
A statewide mutual aid scheme and evacuation plan for inhabitants, including those who speak multiple languages, were also proposed.
Officials also requested an examination of the island’s cellular system to improve future emergency communication attempts.
The study includes a description of the reasons that contributed to the fires’ devastation, a timeline of events throughout the tragedy, and an outline of post-incidence actions.
Wildfires claimed the lives of at least 101 individuals. The fire that destroyed thousands of residential and commercial buildings in Lahaina devastated most of the old town. The fire left thousands searching for temporary shelter and facing unemployment.
State officials calculated that the damages totaled more than $5.5 billion.
Only one day stands between the fire department’s assessment and the state Attorney General Anne Lopez’s first set of conclusions from an independent investigation into the incident. According to Lopez’s office, the investigation examines both how the fires occurred and what happened in the aftermath over a 72-hour period.
Local agencies, such as the county fire department, and local businesses, such as Hawaiian Electric, have faced criticism for their roles in wildfire preparation, mitigation, and response. However, the numerous agencies and businesses involved have continued to blame one another in the aftermath.
Strong winds and extremely dry conditions, such as drought-caused dry brush, caused the fires to spread swiftly, according to Maui officials.
Hawaiian Electric faces a class-action lawsuit on Saturday, alleging that the company “inexcusably kept their power lines energized” despite forecasts of severe winds that could collapse power lines and ignite a rapidly spreading fire. According to Hawaiian Electric’s website, the firm delivers power to 95% of Hawaii’s residents.
Maui County also sued Hawaiian Electric, arguing that the company’s failure to act on approaching weather in the days leading up to the fire caused the catastrophe. In the days leading up to the wildfire on August 8, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency issued a red flag warning of “gusty winds and dry fuels,” posing a potential for “extreme fire.”
In response to the claims, a company spokeswoman told ABC News, “In the aftermath of this unimaginable tragedy, our primary focus has been to do everything we can to support not only the people of Maui, but also Maui County.” We are quite disappointed that Maui County chose this litigation approach while the investigation is still ongoing.”
Separately, the father of a woman who perished in Maui’s wildfires filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Maui County and the state of Hawaii, accusing them of negligence and improper behavior for allowing the flames to ignite or spread without containment or suppression.
County and state officials did not immediately reply to ABC News’ requests for comment.
