With re-entry set to begin in the days ahead, there are concerns about the presence of toxic chemicals.
How safe is it for people to go back to their burned properties? An expert said if folks don’t have the proper equipment, they could face serious health risks down the road.
Monday, Sept. 25 is designated by Maui County as the first day of re-entry for residents to be escorted into burn zones.
“I need to go back, we need we need to see,” said Lahaina resident Earl Thompson.
Thompson, who lost his home and his art studio to the fire, has been waiting, like thousands of others, for the opportunity to see it for himself.
“We know 99.9% of our stuff is completely gone. But yeah, we need to get back in there. And we need to dig through that and get the closure on it,” he explained.