The cause of the Maui, Hawaii fires that broke out on August 8, 2023, is still under investigation, and the official cause has not been determined yet. However, Hawaiian Electric has acknowledged that its downed power lines caused the initial fire. The fire was declared contained by firefighters, but it flared up again hours later into a devastating inferno, which is still under investigation. The utility has argued that it couldnt be responsible for the later flare-up because its lines had been turned off for hours by the time the fire reignited and spread through the town. The utility has also faulted county firefighters for declaring the blaze contained and leaving the scene. The investigation is examining several pieces of evidence, including a charred Hawaiian Electric utility pole stump, a melted spot on a power line, and a partially buried and burned car tire. The overgrown gully beneath Hawaiian Electric Co power lines could also hold the answers. The Maui Fire officials had warned that "fires can start at a far distance from" due to erratic wind, challenging terrain, steep slopes, and dropping humidity.