Phase 3 Report on Lahaina Fire Released

The Department of the Attorney General of Hawaii released the Lahaina Fire Forward-Looking Report, a product of an independent analysis conducted by the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes. This Phase 3 report covers the Lahaina fire, which devastated the town of Lahaina in Maui County, Hawaii, in August 2023.

Phase 3 organizes the findings from the Lahaina Fire Comprehensive Timeline Report (Phase 1) and Lahaina Fire Incident Analysis Report (Phase 2), prioritizes a list of action items for the state, and includes recommendations on prioritizing actions. All counties can use this to improve Hawaii’s preparation for and response to wildfires.

Among the highest-priority items cited in Phase 3 are staffing an Office of the State Fire Marshal and engaging state agencies in addressing the Phase 2 findings and recommendations.

The report also includes guidance for each county fire department to complete a Community Risk Assessment, Community Risk Reduction plan, and Standards of Cover analysis. Each component is in progress, and FSRI has provided the state and counties with guidance documents.