· The fires that are still not fully contained are:
o Lahaina Fire: 2,170 acres and is 85% contained. There remain no active threats.
o Upcountry Fire: 678 acres and is 60% contained. Hot spots in gulches, forests and other hard to reach places exist which makes full containment difficult.
· The Hawaiian National Guard has two helicopters on standby for any immediate firefighting needs.
· There are now 99 confirmed fatalities with 33% of the affected areas searched:
o Four of the victims have been positively identified.
o DNA samples from family members are being requested and they can provide samples at the Family Assistance Center.
· A total of seven shelters remains open with a population of 702 people. The six shelters on Maui now have internet connections.
· Airbnb will provide free temporary stays for over 1,000 affected residents. Details are available here.
· The Governor has announced that nearly 500 affected residents have already transitioned into temporary accommodations at unaffected hotels.
· The State Department of Health (DOH) has issued a health advisory for the Lahaina area:
o Dangers to health include ash and debris that may contain toxic and cancer-causing chemicals including asbestos, arsenic, and lead.
o Exposed electrical wires and other objects.
o Unstable buildings and structures may contain hazardous materials and could collapse and cause injury.
· Maui County has created an online resource informational hub. This site offers information on how to donate, volunteer, other services available and how individuals can support response and recovery efforts.
· The Hawaiian Red Cross reported the following:
o Over 270 volunteers have been deployed.
o A total of 25,000 meals and snacks have been distributed.
o They are responding to 1,300 welfare checks to assist families in locating missing loved ones.
· Infrastructure, Power Restoration and Transportation Update:
o Water testing was performed on August 14th for Lahaina and Upper Kula areas. These tests were transported to Oahu for testing by the State DOH.
o A total of 19 cellular towers remains offline. Local cellular providers have deployed 14 assets to improve cellular service in West Maui.
o The Hawaiian Electric Company (HEC) has 400 employees and 26 vehicles working to restore service.
o HEC as of August 14th have restored power to all but 2,000 of the 12,400 customers who lost power in West Maui.
o Two Temporary Flight Restrictions are in effect for Lahaina and Kula.
· More than 190 Urban Search and Rescue personnel are now deployed.
· The first Disaster Recovery Center has been opened to assist survivors in registering for Federal assistance.
Sources:
· FEMA Daily Operations Briefing, August 15th
· FEMA Twitter Page
· National US&R Response System Facebook Page
· Governor Josh Green Twitter Page
· Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Twitter Page
· Maui County Facebook Page
· Hawaii Red Cross Twitter Page
· Hawaiian Electric - Maui County Twitter Page
· IAFF Twitter Page
· The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies Twitter Page
· US Chamber of Commerce Foundation Twitter Page
Resources
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Small Business Resilience Hub (New)
Photo Release -- FEMA, Federal Partners Continue Hawaii Response Efforts (New)
Maui Fires Central Information Website
FEMA, Hawaii Wildfires
FEMA Rumor Control Website
NIFC Fire Information for Resource Management System
Monetary Donations:
· Maui Economic Opportunity Rental Assistance Fund (New)
· IAFF Foundation, Maui Firefighters Fund (New)
· Disabled Disaster Relief Fund for the Maui Fires (New)
· Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce Business Relief Fund (New)
· Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, Maui Strong Fund
· Maui United Way, Maui Fire and Disaster Relief Fund
· Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Hawaii Wildfires Recovery Fund
· Salvation Army, Hawaii
· Council of Native Hawaiian Advancement, Kako’o Maui
· Lahaina Restoration Foundation, Cultural Heritage Sites Fund
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