what started the maui fire

According to multiple sources, the Maui fire started on August 8, 2023, due to dry conditions and strong winds that fueled wildfires on the Big Island and Maui. Hawaiian Electric, the states largest electric utility, acknowledged that its power lines started the fire on the morning of August 8, which appeared to have been caused by power lines that fell in high winds. Maui County officials publicly blamed Hawaiian Electric for the wildfires that killed at least 115 people, claiming in a lawsuit that the utility had been negligent. Maui Fire officials had warned in an alert issued on August 8 that "erratic wind" could cause wildfires. The fire department responded quickly to the morning fire and fought and tended to the fire for approximately 8 hours, achieving 100% containment pouring over 20,000 gallons of water on the area of origin. However, the scene flared up in the afternoon after firefighters had left the area, and residents said the fire had reignited. The overgrown gully and stubborn embers may have contributed to the fire's rapid spread.