MAUI COUNTY, Hawaii — First responders continue working to contain the deadly fires in Maui, nearly two weeks after they broke out on the island. Over the weekend, helicopters continued dropping water in areas that are still burning.
13News received an update on the Maui wildfires from local firefighters on Indiana Task Force 1. Indianapolis Fire Department Battalion Chief Jay Settergren, IN-TF1 leader for this deployment, spoke with 13News ahead of the team's third day in Hawaii.
After initially seeing "some of the most beautiful scenery you can see in Hawaii," Settergren said reality soon set in.
"Within a 30-minute drive, you're in the middle of an area that is the exact opposite. It doesn't even make sense. It's completely gone," Settergren said.
Their focus is getting into a large apartment complex to make sure everyone got out.
"We have no idea what we're getting into. So, we have to systematically search the entire building," Settergren said.
Settergren called it "the perfect storm," with families not having a chance to get out.
"The high pressure on one side, the hurricane moving to the other side, but then you have to also factor in the two volcanoes on each end of the island. It just created the perfect atmosphere for this fire to be wind-fed, and so it moved so much faster than I think anybody's ever seen one move, at least what I've dealt with," Settergren said.
The 34-year veteran is moving his team of 70, paying attention to their mental and physical health.
"We're working in 85-degree weather with 45% humidity, for basically 10 to 12, maybe even 14 hours a day. So, they're doing a very good job making sure we stay healthy," Settergren said.
Each firefighter has been checking in with their families, but with power lines down, finding a signal continues to be a challenge.
"The only reason I'm able to do this (interview) is because our guys have set up a really strong center where we have some communications," Settergren said.
Settergren isn't sure how long his team will be in Hawaii. They plan to stay at their current site for the next week.
"We feel for the locals here. They've been through a lot. The least we can do is help in some way," Settergren said.
They're just concentrating on the task at hand.
"We have one of the best teams in the system of the 28, and I couldn't be more proud of the work that they do," Settergren said.