Scientists have new theory on what caused the Maui wildfire that left 100 people dead - and it wasn't the nearby hurricane that thrashed the islands
- Kia Rastar
- Dec 22, 2023
- 1 min read
Nearly four months following the Lahaina Fire that devastated Maui - leaving 100 people dead and 6,000 still homeless - scientists have introduced a new theory behind the cause of the deadliest wildfire in American history.
The theory debunks previous assumptions linking the wildfire to nearby Hurricane Dora that thrashed the island.
According to laboratory models, the wildfire was actually fueled by the same meteorological phenomenon responsible for California 's most damaging wildfires - a downslope windstorm.
Video footage documenting the fire revealed a wind-driven firestorm, however a power outage during the storm left scientists unsure about the factors that caused the devastation.
Atmospheric researchers have now simulated the weather and fire trends in western Maui on August 8 to grasp a better understanding on what made the Lahaina Fire so destructive.
