Maui Wildfire Traced Back to Rekindled Blaze from Downed Power Line

A new report reveals that the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century reignited from a blaze initially believed to be extinguished, sparking a legal and safety overhaul.

The August 2023 wildfire in Lahaina, Maui, originated from a power line failure that ignited overgrown brush, according to the Maui Fire Department and ATF report.
High winds are believed to have rekindled the initial blaze, overwhelming firefighters and leading to the destruction of the historic town.
Communication failures and the lack of emergency sirens contributed to the chaos, leaving many residents without timely evacuation warnings.
The disaster resulted in 102 confirmed deaths, with victims ranging from 7 to 97 years old, surpassing the death toll of the 2018 Camp Fire in California.
A proposed $4 billion settlement involving Hawaiian Electric and other parties is pending court approval, with potential implications for insurance claims and future litigation.