Debris removal from Maui wildfire passes halfway mark as officials expand disaster resources

Most of the debris from the deadly 2023 wildfire in Lahaina, Maui, now resides in a permanent landfill, County of Maui officials announced on Saturday.

Officials have successfully transferred 64% of the total 400,000 tons of wildfire debris from a temporary debris storage site in Olowalu to a permanent disposal site at the Central Maui Landfill, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The site was chosen due to its far distance from any residential areas, schools, and drinking water sources.

The transfer operation started on June 16 and was estimated to take five months to complete.

“Our debris mission is going very smoothly, we appreciate all your support over the last two months,” Lt. Col. Adrian Biggerstaff recently said at a community meeting. “If you know someone hauling the debris, please thank them, give them a big mahalo because they’re doing amazing work for us and the community.”

Credit: County of Maui

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: The failure of fire, law enforcement, and other agencies at the 2023 Maui fires

The milestone was announced as County of Maui officials continue to encourage all survivors of the wildfire to connect with disaster case managers through state and/or local services.

Both the State of Hawaiʻi Disaster Case Management Program and the Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama Disaster Case Management Program recently expanded services for residents affected by the fire and reportedly work closely with each other to avoid service duplication, according to County of Maui Office of Recovery Administrator John Smith.

“DCMs help survivors develop individualized recovery plans and connect them with housing assistance, mental health services, transportation support, financial aid and more,” Smith said. “Whether through the state or a community-based program, DCMs serve as a consistent guide and advocate for wildfire survivors throughout their long-term recovery journey.”

Click here for full details of both disaster case management services.

Idaho wildfire sniper ambush suspect identified

Investigators identified the man suspected of shooting and killing two firefighters at Idaho's Nettleton Gulch Fire on June 29.

The man suspected of shooting and killing two firefighters in Idaho has been identified by local authorities.

Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris, at a press conference Monday afternoon, said investigators identified the deceased suspect as Wess Roley. Law enforcement found Roley’s body at the scene of the fatal Idaho wildfire shooting, along with a high-powered rifle and a flint starter, which investigators believe he used to start the wildfire to lure firefighters into an ambush, according to Norris. Investigators did not share how they believe Roley died.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Idaho wildfire sniper ambush leaves 2 firefighters dead, suspect’s body recovered

Norris said Roley had no criminal history and local law enforcement had five interactions with him, but they were minor. Roley also has no link to any international or domestic terrorist organization. Investigators said they discovered that Roley, at one time, wanted to be a firefighter, but there is still no clear indication of motive.

Investigators believe Roley shot and killed himself at the scene of the crime.

“We’re still processing the scene, and it’s going to take a few days to do that, especially with the current fire that’s there,” Norris said.

The wildfire that investigators believe was started by Roley, named the Nettleton Gulch Fire, remains at 26 acres. Norris said firefighters believe they’ll have the fire contained by Monday night.

WildfireToday and the International Association of Wildland Fire share our condolences with the families of the victims.

Idaho wildfire sniper ambush leaves 2 firefighters dead, suspect’s body recovered

Idaho wildfire sniper ambush left 2 firefighters dead on Sunday. The suspect's body was also recovered.

Hours after firefighters in Idaho broadcast they were being shot at, two of the firefighters are dead and the lone gunman’s body has been recovered, Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said at a press conference Sunday night.

A firefighter from the Coeur D’Alene Fire Department and a firefighter from the Kootenai County Fire & Rescue were those who died. A third firefighter was shot and was in critical condition before being transported to a local hospital. Norris said that the firefighter’s condition is now stable after undergoing surgery.

Firefighters responded to the wildfire near the town of Coeur D’Alene at around 1:21 p.m. on Sunday, according to Norris. Calls for shots fired were sent out at around 2 p.m.

Law enforcement officers who responded to the scene reportedly exchanged gunfire with the suspect between 2 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. During that time, officers used what they called a “cell phone activation” to pinpoint the shooter’s location.

The activation found a phone that had been sitting in the same spot for hours. That’s where law enforcement would eventually recover the suspect’s body, along with a high-powered rifle. Investigators have not shared how they believe the suspect died.

“Keep in mind, we had a fire that was rapidly approaching the body, so we had to scoop up that body and transport it to another location…we believe that is the only shooter that was on that mountain at that time,” Norris said.

Investigators believe the suspect, who has since been identified as Wess Roley, started the fire to lure firefighters to the location for an ambush. Norris said Roley had no criminal history and local law enforcement had five interactions with him, but they were minor.

Norris said investigators would not release the identities of the victims, as the investigation is still in its very early stages.

The wildfire, named the Nettleton Gulch Fire, has burned 26 acres and is 0% contained as of Monday morning, according to the Idaho Department of Lands.

WildfireToday and the International Association of Wildland Fire share our condolences with the families of the victims.