'I can't even breathe:' Hawaii fire survivor makes emotional return to charred remains of home
Survivors can return to the fire ravaged town of Kula. Residents can't return to Lahaina yet as crews continue to search for human remains.
Hawaii fire survivors mourning loss of life, property as search for victims continues
As crews continue to search for victims of Hawaii’s deadly wildfires last week, survivors are mourning not only the loss of life but property as well. FOX Weather correspondent Robert Ray as the latest from Maui.
KULA, Hawaii – As rescue crews on Maui continue searching for people and trying to contain the Upcountry fire in the high elevations of Kula, survivors are mourning not only those lost in the blaze but property as well.
The fires on the island of Maui devastated so many historic areas. Even neighborhoods in the center of the island, more than 3,000 feet in elevation, were hit hard. In this scorched neighborhood, there are homes that have been incinerated.
One week after the deadliest wildfire in recent American history, loss of life continues to rise and confusion mounts as locals, elected officials, military and non-governmental organizations work around the clock to ease the tragedy.
(Robert Ray / FOX Weather)
No one lost their lives there, but more than 20 homes were destroyed, and hundreds more structures are in shambles.
Hotspots continue to flare up in a gully in the distance as fire workers try to put them out.
One woman had trouble explaining how she felt when she returned to see what was left of her decimated home.
Of the three fires that burned, officials say the Kula Fire in Upcountry Maui destroyed more than 500 structures and charred nearly 700 acres.
(Robert Ray / FOX Weather)
"I love this place so much," said Sharil Clipper while choking back tears. "It was my granddaughters' sanctuary. Now, it's empty."
Clipper took a moment and continued.
"You know, I can't even breathe," she added. "Sad."
Officials projected Kula’s rebuilding costs at $434 million.
(Robert Ray / FOX Weather)
In Lahaina, down the mountain on the west coast of Maui, authorities are not letting anyone in or out of the city, including residents. It is blocked off all over every road, and has a perimeter being controlled by the National Guard, FEMA or even state patrol and other police here.
Crews continue to search through Lahaina's burned property for human remains.
(Robert Ray / FOX Weather)
Being able to get a glimpse of the gravity of this situation may be very difficult. Block after block is charred, neighborhoods are destroyed, vehicles are burned to the ground, and people's belongings and possessions are gone.
AERIAL FOOTAGE SHOWS SHEER DESTRUCTION AFTER DEADLY HAWAII FIRES ACROSS MAUI
Over 2,000 buildings were destroyed in Lahaina.
(Robert Ray / FOX Weather)
Authorities are still searching this area for human remains, saying there cannot be a push to move forward at this point until the dead are identified.