Possible Cause of Maui Wildfires: Video Footage Reveals Downed Power Lines

Downed Utility Lines Suspected to Have Sparked Deadly Wildfires on Maui

Video footage captured by a security camera at the Maui Bird Conservation Center suggests that downed utility lines may have sparked some of the deadly wildfires on Maui. The footage, posted on Instagram by the Hawaii Department of Land Natural Resources, shows a bright flash in the woods before the camera loses power. When the camera comes back online, large flames can be seen in the distance. These wildfires have resulted in the deaths of over 100 people.

Incident Captured on Camera

In a recent incident captured on camera, a forest fire broke out just as the power went out and a generator kicked in. Jennifer Pribble, a senior research coordinator at a bird conservation center, witnessed the event and shared the video on Instagram.

Devastating Fire in Makawao

A conservation center in the small town of Makawao, located in Maui, captured footage of a massive fire that devastated the historic city of Lahaina. The Makawao fire was the first of several fires reported on the island last week. Prior to the fires, Maui experienced strong winds from a hurricane that was located hundreds of miles offshore. Although the Makawao fire did not reach Lahaina, it was one of the fires that started on Monday and Tuesday and eventually reached the town, which has a population of 13,000.

Confirmation from Whisker Labs

According to Whisker Labs, a company that monitors electric grids in the U.S., 10 sensors in Makawao detected a significant incident in Hawaii's electric grid at the same time a video captured a bright light from a utility line. The company suggests that the bright flash seen in the video was likely an "arc flash," which occurs when a power line experiences a fault.

Utility Grid Faults Likely Cause of Wildfires

According to Bob Marshall, the founder and CEO of Whisker Labs, there is strong evidence that utility grid faults were the likely cause of multiple wildfires on Maui. This confirmation is based on real data. However, a spokesman for Hawaiian Electric declined to comment on the video and sensor data, instead emphasizing their focus on supporting emergency response efforts, restoring power, and developing a long-term recovery plan.

Ongoing Investigations

There are ongoing investigations to determine the cause of the fires in Lahaina, Hawaii. Spokesman Darren Pai acknowledges the speculation surrounding the origin of the fires and assures that efforts are being made to uncover the truth. Additionally, a video captured by a resident named Shane Treu shows him battling a fire that was ignited by a fallen power pole and rapidly spread along a road.

Utility Company Facing Criticism

The article discusses a wildfire that broke out in Hawaii due to strong winds and the failure of Hawaiian Electric to cut off power during the windstorm. The fire quickly spread and caused significant damage. The utility company is facing criticism for not following the practice of cutting off power during such conditions to prevent fires. A class-action lawsuit has been filed against the company, alleging that it is responsible for the deaths of over 100 people.

Expert Opinion

Michael Wara, a wildfire expert from Stanford University, has suggested that there may be other causes for the fire under investigation, and utility lines may not be the primary cause. However, if utility lines are found to be responsible, Wara emphasizes that the fire could have been prevented.

Instagram Posts from Hawaii DLNR

The content provided includes two Instagram posts from the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). The first post features a photo, and the second post does not have any visible content.