Maui fires – latest: California woman named as first tourist among victims as residents start returning home

Authorities have confirmed 115 deaths following the deadliest wildfire in more than a century in the United States

President Biden and First Lady arrive in Maui

A California woman has been named as the first tourist to have died in the devastating Maui wildfires.

Officials identified 72-year-old Theresa Cook from Pollock Pines in northern California as among the victims of the deadly blaze in the historic Hawaiian town of Lahaina.

Some 115 deaths have been confirmed following the deadliest wildfire in more than a century in the United States. The unconfirmed list of missing people currently stands at 1,100 names.

Hawaiian officials also pleaded with relatives of those missing to come forward and give DNA samples, saying the low number provided so far threatens to hinder efforts to identify any remains discovered in the ashes.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden met with first responders and survivors on Monday and promised that the federal government would be with them “for as long as it takes” to rebuild the community.

Survivors were also voicing fears of a potential wave of land grabs by realtors and investors that could push Hawaiian locals from the island.

Key points

• California woman identified as victim of Hawaii fires
• Biden tells Hawaii that the US ‘grieves with you’ as he surveys Maui wildfire devastation
• How did Maui wildfires start?
• Maui officials say 100 per cent of residential properties searched
• Biden appoints new FEMA administrator to Maui

[24 August 2023 14:56 · Louise Boyle]

Some Maui residents return to homes still standing

Some Maui residents whose homes were spared by the devastating wildfires have returned to Lahaina.

But conditions on the ground are grim: there is no running water or electricity, and soot and smoke fill the air.

Some residents who spoke to NBC News explained that they were concerned about protecting their homes.

“There’s been some looting that’s been happening, so we’re just trying to keep the house protected,” said Todd Durrell, who returned home with his girlfriend after learning his property survived.

“We’re armed just in case. We don’t want to be victimized any further.”

A general view shows the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (AP)