Maui wildfire death toll of 55 expected to rise amid search for victims

A view of flames near the ocean at the historic town of LahainaMaui wildfire death toll of 55 expected to rise amid search for victims A view of flames near the ocean at the historic town of LahainaBy Marco GarciaKAHULUI, Hawaii (Reuters) -The death toll from a wildfire that killed at least 55 people on Hawaii's Maui island was expected to rise on Friday, as search teams prepared to comb through the charred ruins of a historic resort town for more victims. "Understand this: Lahaina Town is hallowed, sacred ground right now," Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said, referring to humans remains that have yet to be recovered. But the spread of non-native, fire-prone grasses on former farmland around towns and a warming climate have elevated the threat of wildfires on the islands, according to the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization. The Lahaina fire is one of three major wildfires on Maui. There was no estimate for the Upcountry fire in the center of the eastern mass of the island, Maui County said.