The Maui wildfires, ignited by high winds, have tragically claimed the lives of at least 93 individuals, marking a somber milestone as the deadliest wildfire event in the United States in over a century.

The death toll is expected to rise as recovery teams, accompanied by cadaver dogs, meticulously sift through the charred remains of Lahaina, a historic resort city.

The conflagration, which ignited on Tuesday night, continues to baffle experts in terms of its origins, leaving Hawaii Governor Josh Green to describe the devastated area as a “war zone.” As the affected region remains in shock, a grim parallel emerges with the Peshtigo fire of 1871. This Wisconsin blaze, which engulfed the town of Peshtigo, resulted in a staggering death toll of 1,152 – a haunting record that stands to this day.

Closer in history, the Maui wildfire has surpassed the destructive force of the Cloquet Fire in October 1918, known for sparking devastation across northern Minnesota. This deadly event, fueled by railroad sparks, led to the loss of 453 lives.

The striking recurrence of such catastrophic fires has raised concerns over the vulnerability of US homes to wildfire threats. According to the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA), nearly half of the country’s land area comprises forests, shrublands, and grasslands. Approximately 45 million American homes are situated near or adjacent to these at-risk areas. The National Interagency Fire Center estimates a staggering 71.8 million properties are exposed to some level of wildfire danger.

Increasingly hot and arid conditions foster the rapid spread, prolonged burning, and heightened intensity of wildfires. Since the 1980s, the ten years with the most extensive wildfire damage all coincided with the warmest years on record.

Peak wildfire season

The United States is witnessing a shifting wildfire landscape, with an earlier peak wildfire season and alarmingly escalating fire counts. In 2022 alone, the nation experienced 66,255 wildfires, dwarfing the 18,229 recorded in 1983. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) emphasizes the crucial role of climate change in escalating fire risks.

As the nation mourns the lives lost in the Maui wildfires, questions loom about the course of action that must be taken. Solutions involving controlled burns and strategic forest management have gained traction as ways to mitigate the impacts of these infernos. But what remains certain is that climate change must be tackled head-on to quell the devastating trend of increasingly deadly wildfires.

*Reporting by Ryder Hayes; Editing by Lisa Shumaker*