There is a lot of misinformation being spread.
The primary thing that is not being talked about and hidden is the number of casualties. Locals suspect the number is over a thousand.
They have blocked the road in and out in my opinion to control this information.
People in west Maui are trapped in that they have perfectly comfortable homes but no services and if they leave they are not allowed to return.
The cause of the fire was certainly a typical summer fire on the wrong day with the crazy high winds for spreading it. The winds that day were so crazy.
The fires actually started Monday evening as we could see the smoke on Oahu, and by Tuesday 1am they were starting to attack peoples houses. Fire crews on Maui were spread very thin, and what was thought to be an under control fire then flared up in the high winds and got out of control in Lahaina town.
I do think there are legitimate reasons for blocking access to west Maui, as there are lots of hazards, down power lines, unstable buildings.
But I also think the state is trying to hide the reality of the casualties and itβs own failures of readiness