FOG BLOG BREAKING LOG: MAUI ON FIRE, HAWAIIAN ISLAND WILDFIRES FUELED BY HURRICANE, 6 DEAD!

Wildfires burning across Maui prompt evacuations Cell service remains "very limited" in western Maui, county official says

Western Maui 911 services remain "very limited" as wildfires impact cell service in the area, according to Mahina Martin, chief spokesperson for Maui County. "The cell towers, unfortunately have been out," she told CNN's Jake Tapper Wednesday. "That's been very problematic." Some context: It could take days or even weeks to get the networks back up and running. Although strong winds can sometimes threaten cell towers, most are strong enough to handle the worst that even a Category 5 hurricane can bring. Fire, however, complicates the issue. “When the fires get too close to cell sites, they will obviously burn equipment, antennas, and feedlines,” said Glenn O’Donnell, vice president of research at market research firm Forrester. “In extreme cases, they will also weaken the towers, leading some to collapse. The smoke and flames can also attenuate signals because of the particulate density in the air.” If a tower collapses, cell networks could take months to restore. But if carriers are able and prepared to do restorations with mobile backup units, it could bring limited service back within hours, O’Donnell said. Wireless carriers often bring in COWs (Cells On Wheels), COLTs (Cells On Light Trucks), and GOaTs (Generators on Trailers) in emergencies to provide backup service when cell towers go down. Impossible to estimate extent of wildfire damage until flames are put out, local official says

It is impossible to know the extent of the damage caused by wildfires in Hawaii because the flames continue to make their way across parts of the Big Island and Maui, a local official said. “It’s impossible to know that number right now without having done an assessment," Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen Jr. said. The main focus of officials and first responders is to “save lives and preserve lives,” he said. The secondary focus is to try to save property — both objectives, fire departments are working very hard to do. They are working 24-hour shifts battling the blazes, he said.