The death toll in the massive wildfires that hit Maui in Hawaii has already climbed to 93, with American authorities saying that it is the deadliest wildfire that struck the United States in a century.
According to the County of Maui, a total of 93 individuals were reported to be death due to the destructive blaze. Two of the fatalities have been identified.
Governor John Green branded the wildfires as the largest natural disaster in the history of Hawaii.
"This is the largest natural disaster in our history. As of this moment, 93 individuals have perished," Green said at a video message.
"I have been in the ground zero twice and there is very little left there. Now, what was that mean? That means over 27 structures were destroyed in Lahaina," Green added.
Green promised that a comprehensive effort would be enforced to respond to the needs of the victims, meaning there will be a full force of the national and local government as well as other groups and stakeholders.
The death toll made the wildfires as Hawaii's worst natural disaster as it exceeded a tsunami that killed 61 people in 1960, a year after Hawaii became a US state.
Read Also: Maui Wildfire Death Toll Now at 53, Expected To Rise
Containing the flare-ups
So far, firefighters continue their efforts to extinguish the flare-ups that are observed in the Lahaina and Upcountry Maui.
Based on the initial damage assessment, three structures in Olinda and 16 others in Kula have been damaged in the Upcountry Maui.
Meanwhile, the blaze in Pulehu/Kihei was already 100% contained as of Saturday, officials said.
Latest advisory from the firefighting personnel said the blaze in Upcountry/Kula was already 60% contained, having an estimated 678 acres affected.
Authorities deployed a total of three helicopters, four engines, two tankers and one utility in the site.
They said that the hot spots in gulches and other hard to reach places, along with land divisions and fences, make it difficult for the firefighters to contain the blaze.
The County of Maui explained that the containment process indicates what percentage of the fire perimeter has been enclosed by a control line.
Authorities said that when a fire is 100% contained, that does not necessarily mean that it has been extinguished. It means that firefighters have it fully surrounded by a perimeter.
Once a fire is declared "extinguished," then it is already over.
Emergency response increasing
Meanwhile, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said that emergency responders have been increasing their presence in Hawaii to address the immediate needs of the wildfires survivors.
Officials have already sent thousands of supplies, meals, as well as liters of water with more on the way to support response efforts.
Earlier, it was disclosed that the cost to rebuild Lahaina was estimated at $5.5 billion, with more than 2,200 structures damaged or destroyed and over 2,100 acres (850 hectares) reduced to ruins.
A Family Assistance Center has been opened at the Kahului Community Center for family members who are looking for information about their relatives and loved ones who are unaccounted for and who could be affected by the wildfires on Maui.
Related Article: Maui Wildfires Considered As Largest Natural Disaster With Death Toll Reaching 80; 2,170 Acres Put To Ashes
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