FRONTLINE investigates the deadliest American wildfire in a century, and the missed warnings that made it so unstoppable. The documentary examines the fire's causes, the chaotic response, and how changes to the climate and landscape have made Maui increasingly vulnerable to fires.
Maui’s Deadly Firestorm is PBS FRONTLINE’s year-long investigation into the devastating August 2023 wildfire that claimed 102 lives and destroyed the historic town of Lahaina in Maui, Hawaii. The documentary uncovers a systemic lack of preparedness despite decades of warnings, critical failures in the emergency response to the fire, and examines ongoing tensions as the community reflects on the tragedy and attempts to rebuild in the wake of America's deadliest wildfire in a century.
The film is grounded in extensive, in-depth reporting and relies heavily on first-hand accounts from survivors, key officials and first responders. It incorporates powerful first-person footage including police bodycam and social media content, as well as a detailed analysis of over a thousand 911 calls and public records documenting fire prevention and hazard mitigation efforts across multiple government agencies. Through these sources, the film provides a harrowing, moment-by-moment reconstruction of the fire and its aftermath, offering the most comprehensive timeline to date.
Beyond the immediate crisis, Maui’s Deadly Firestorm situates the disaster within a broader context of historical and cultural challenges. The film traces systemic blind spots in fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and economic policy, drawing connections to Hawaii’s environmental history dating back to the plantation era and the region’s increasing vulnerability to wildfire. By engaging deeply with the community, the film highlights the long-standing conditions that set the stage for the tragedy, including links to a similar fire in 2018.
The filmmakers gained unprecedented access to a grieving and closed-off community by spending weeks on the ground, building trust with fire survivors and Native Hawaiian residents through cultural sensitivity and collaboration with local team members. Their persistence also secured interviews with reluctant officials entangled in lawsuits and federal and state investigations, revealing a layered portrait of the systemic failures that contributed to the tragedy.
The film sheds light on Lahaina’s unique vulnerabilities as a remote island community that are often overlooked and underreported, but its relevance extends beyond Lahaina, drawing attention to the growing frequency of climate-related disasters and the critical gaps in disaster preparedness nationwide. Maui’s Deadly Firestorm provides a vital public record, offers practical insights for preventing future catastrophes, and underscores the urgent need for systemic reform.
Xinyan Yu is an Emmy-winning journalist and filmmaker with nearly 15 years of experience crafting intimate, character-driven films across continents. From factory floors in rural Ethiopia to wildfire zones in Hawaii, she specializes in vérité and investigative storytelling that combines cinematic intimacy with journalistic rigor through a deeply human lens. A former BBC producer turned independent filmmaker, Xinyan has directed, produced, and shot documentaries for PBS Frontline, NOVA, American Masters, BBC News, and NHK. She is a New America National Fellow, a Firelight Media Doc Lab Fellow, and a Yaddo alum.
Premiere - PBS Frontline
