Death toll of August 2023 Hawaii wildfires rises to 101

The deadly blaze in Lahaina started as brush fires and exploded into the town on Aug 8, 2023. PHOTO: AFP

HAWAII – On Feb 13, the Maui Police Department identified Paul Kasprzycki, 76, of Lahaina, Hawaii, as the 101st fatal victim of the deadly blaze that swept through the historic town in August 2023.

The police said that Mr Kasprzycki was found during an effort to narrow down the last known locations of those who remain missing.

After months of pressure to provide more information about the fire and the government’s response to it, the Maui police released a detailed new report in February revealing that a large number of victims had died along a single street, a stark indication of the ferocity of the blaze.

Authorities continue to name two people as unaccounted for, and their cases have not been classified as fatalities.

The deadly blaze in Lahaina started as brush fires and exploded into the town on Aug 8, 2023, becoming the country’s deadliest wildfire in more than 100 years.

Locating remains and identifying victims has been a difficult process. Experts in examining human remains have worked in Maui to help the local authorities.

Among the identified victims, three were children. NYTIMES

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