AI6YR BenThe first identification of victims -- a family of four--lived in this block in #Lahaina -- found in their car not far from their home. This entire corner would have likely been a no-way-to-exit zone with fire/powerlines down, as I identified a couple of days ago.
The open MAXAR Imagery of Lahaina shows what I believe are a *lot* of burnt out vehicles in that corner of Lahaina. There's no egress there if poles were down or once fire made it down into that neighborhood. More than 150 homes which would have been pincered off by fire. This kind of stuff makes me think the toll is going to continue to get a lot worse, and due to fire/heat in the buildings, will be a sift-and-filter operation for months with DNA testing required. (ugly, painful reality).
This is the road they got trapped on, within this block somewhere. Fire would have been crossing from the left, power lines maybe down from the wind too. Hindsight is 20/20, but the only feasible survival move would be to drive through this fence instead, or break through or climb the fence and run and head right, not left.. #survival #lessons
Going southeast on any street; blocked, fire... death. Going northwest--blind corner with no exit, death. The only safety zone was over a bridge by driving through a dirt track in a construction zone.
Joseph Elfelt@ai6yr We live at the end of a 1-lane road. For the first 1/4 mile that is the only way out. Lots of trees on both sides. In the remote chance that we would be suddenly surprised by fire and not able to use that road, then our backup route is to drive across our pasture, cut through the wire fence and continue through the neighbor's pasture to a county road.
I bought a special tool just for cutting that fence.
Kevin McCoy@ai6yr This absolutely sucks but I'm also so grateful for the way you're analyzing and approaching this as a public educational service, especially as more and more of us are going to face more and more of these kinds of awful situations.
MsMerope@ai6yr which I guess, unfortunately, explains all the requests for cadaver dogs ☹️
@ai6yr btw for those who may not know - cadaver dogs are not trained the same way as search and rescue dogs are - they’re in a different classification.
(We had a handler come speak to our group about 6 years ago;
which is why I can’t remember the exact details.)
nshrubs@ai6yr
Washington State team deploys to help in aftermath of deadly Hawaii fires
The 45-person FEMA team is made up of emergency responders and other professionals trained in search and rescue from Pierce and King counties.
A five-person K-9 human remains detection team will also be deployed with the group.
https://www.nwpb.org/2023/08/11/washington-state-team-deploys-to-help-in-aftermath-of-deadly-hawaii-fires/
Washington State team deploys to help in aftermath of deadly Hawaii fires
The 45-person FEMA team is made up of emergency responders and other professionals trained in search and rescue from Pierce and King counties.
A five-person K-9 human remains detection team will also be deployed with the group.
https://www.nwpb.org/2023/08/11/washington-state-team-deploys-to-help-in-aftermath-of-deadly-hawaii-fires/
Washington State team deploys to help in aftermath of deadly Hawaii fires - Northwest Public Broadcasting
A team of search and rescue personnel based out of the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management deployed to Hawaii Friday after President Joe Biden ordered federal aid to the state to help areas impacted by devastating wildfires. The 45-person FEMA team is made up of emergency responders and other professionals trained in search and rescue from Pierce and King counties. Continue Reading Washington State team deploys to help in aftermath of deadly Hawaii fires
NiciHW🦋@ai6yr 😣😣😣
Horrifying and awful and so so sad
W6KME@ai6yr After every disaster, it's all about the fatality count. Then comes the slow process of finding out who those people were; what their final moments were like. They're no longer just part of a tally. That's usually the time most media step back-it's too uncomfortable.
A running total is attractive to advertisers. Personal stories of terror and tragedy involving people with names and faces...not so much.
@W6KME Yep. I think the total here is going to be unimaginable due to cramped narrow streets, all above ground power poles, and no warning, unless there was just some miracle I am unaware of. I'm not trying to depress anyone or whatever, but just--reality.
@W6KME It's not a morbid interest, but it IS a "learn some lessons". You can be darn sure I'm never ever booking an AirBNB or hotel room -- even in a quaint tourist town-- without understanding retreat zones, esp. during red flag high wind events.
@ai6yr It's "normal" to spend every moment driving looking for hazards and things that will kill you (or maybe that's just why I survived so many years being a motorcyclist). Why should it not be normal in every other aspect of life?
It's not morbid that you consider such things.
jiOh my goodness ... that's heartbreaking - everywhere it's heartbreaking but especially your post. I lived on the corner of Kopili & Kamanalu for a year ... I'm gutted for Lahaina, for the locals, the environnent & for that most elegant of trees, the beautiful Banyan. My heart is broken seeing this but whatever compassion & empathy I have left goes out to all those on Maui. If anyone's inclined to donate, this is one such site - https://www.gofundme.com/f/slack-key-show-ohana-fire-relife-fund