Inside the White House response to the Maui wildfires

On a Tuesday morning in August, a memo landed on President Joe Biden’s desk warning of the possibility of a storm hitting Hawaii.

The August 8 memo was part of a daily summary focused on potential extreme weather facing the US based on public data, which the president started receiving from his homeland security team after freezing temperatures gripped Houston in 2021. It warned of high winds hitting Hawaii and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, following their usual protocols, deployed personnel to the state in anticipation of the storm.

Hours later, the islands were dealing with a different crisis: A wildfire. After the fires began, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients immediately briefed the president on what became a rapidly evolving situation, according to White House officials.

“What was not anticipated at that time, when we first reported on the possibility of a storm with high winds, was that they would ignite a major fire or fires,” a senior White House official directly involved told CNN, adding that FEMA funds were provided as soon as the blazes began to help with fire management.

The full scope of the devastation is still coming into focus, as residents sort through the rubble and ashes, and search for loved ones. At least 111 people have died.

And on Monday, Biden will see the damage up close when he visits Maui. Ahead of his trip, the president, who faced criticism in the immediate aftermath, committed to deploying “every asset” the state needs for ongoing recovery efforts.

“You always hear this phrase – and I’ve been to so many disasters in my career, it’s almost hollow – but our prayers, our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Hawaii. But not just our prayers: Every asset, every asset they need will be there for them. And we’ll be there in Maui as long as it takes, as long as it takes, and I…