The 2023 Lahaina, Maui, Fires: A Collective Law Enforcement Response

Sunday, October 20, 2024

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM ET

Location: 205B

Submitter(s)

KS

Katrice Stubbs

Supervisory Special Agent
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Speaker(s)

Steven Merrill

Special Agent in Charge
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
JOHN PELLETIER

Chief
Maui (HI) Police Department
Wailuku, Hawaii, United States

When a wildfire devastated the island of Maui in August 2023, with temperatures reaching 1700 degrees Fahrenheit, the Maui Police Department, FBI, and other law enforcement partners collaborated in a joint response. Decisions made by the Maui Police Department to leverage resources were instrumental in providing safety, including maintaining safe perimeters while active fires burned and supporting Maui's morgue and evidence responses, inundated with remains of the deceased. FBI resources, including the intelligence, Evidence Response Team, forensic identification, public affairs, and victim services responded to support the Maui Police Department.