HONOLULU (KHON2) — The long-awaited ATF report on the origin and cause of 2023ʻs Lahaina fire was released Wednesday, finding that flames broke out around 6:30 the morning of August 8.
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Fire officials said it was caused by re-energized broken utility lines, resulting in sparks that ignited unmaintained vegetation. According to the report the fire was considered contained just before 9 a.m. but embers went undetected and rekindled.
“While there are no surprises, I do think it lays out what we need to do going forward, and not just for Maui County but for all of our islands to really reduce that fuel load. How we need to have more eyes on the ground when it comes to potential areas we could see fire ignite, and what we have to do going forward.” Hawaii’s Congressional Representative Jill Tokuda said during her appearance on Wake Up 2Day Thursday.