Lahaina residents brace for what they’ll find as they return to devastated properties in burn zone

By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER
Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — Lahaina residents are bracing for what they’ll find when they return to the ruins of their homes after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century killed at least 97 people and destroyed thousands of buildings. Authorities on Monday will begin escorting the first residents back into the burn zone. For many it will be the first time back to their properties since the Aug. 8 wildfire. Maui Emergency Management Agency interim administrator Darryl Oliveira says the goal of the supervised visits is for them to see their homes and properties safely and to get some closure. Officials are urging people not to sift through the ash for fear of stirring up toxic dust.