What to know about Maui wildfires, the deadliest in the U.S. in 100 years

By
, 
and 
Updated August 18, 2023 at 1:07 p.m. EDT|Published August 16, 2023 at 2:01 p.m. EDT
Combined Joint Task Force 50 personnel conduct a search of an area hit by wildfires in in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Tuesday. (Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Foster/U.S. Army National Guard/Reuters)
Skip to main content
9 min
correction

A previous version of this article incorrectly said the Maui fire was the deadliest in the U.S. in more than 140 years. It's the deadliest in more than 100 years. The article has been corrected.

The wildfires that swept through parts of Maui last week are now considered the deadliest in modern U.S. history, killing more than 100 people and leaving behind a path of destruction that will require billions of dollars in recovery efforts. As crews search for hundreds of missing people, the death toll is rising day by day and a housing crisis is unfolding for survivors.

Wildfires in Hawaii

What’s happening: After the deadly wildfire in Maui devastated the town of Lahaina, people search for their loved ones as they face the devastation of losing homes, schools and businesses.

How did the fires start? Officials have not announced a cause, though video and data shows it was probably power lines. The spread of nonnative grasses and hurricane-stoked winds could have been factors, along with the indirect influence of climate change.

What areas have been impacted? Fires burned across multiple Hawaiian islands — these maps show where. The town of Lahaina on the island of Maui suffered widespread damage, and historical landmarks across the island were damaged. These photos show the extent of the blaze.

Can I help? Many organizations are accepting donations to assist those affected by the wildfires. Visitors returning to West Maui are encouraged to practice regenerative tourism.