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President Biden on Tuesday is speaking in Milwaukee, where he is expected to address the deadly wildfires on Maui that have left at least 99 dead and the historic town of Lahaina destroyed.
The White House is also having “active conversations” about when a Biden visit to Hawaii might be possible, deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton said.
Mr. Biden has been on vacation in Rehoboth, Delaware, and has not made extensive comments on the wildfires. Last week, he approved a federal disaster declaration, clearing the way for federal funding to be provided to people on the island affected by the fires.
“Our prayers are with the people of Hawaii, but not just our prayers — every asset we have will be available to them,” Mr. Biden said during an event in Salt Lake City marking the first anniversary of a veterans benefits law. “They’ve seen their homes, their businesses destroyed, and some have lost loved ones, and it’s not over yet.”
In Milwaukee, he will tour Ingeteam, Inc., a clean energy company, and talk about his economic plan. He will return to the White House later in the day.
The death toll in Maui is expected to continue to rise as more than 1,000 people remain unaccounted for. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said Monday that search crews could recover “10 to 20 people” a day going forward, and Maui County Police Chief John Pelletier said that 25% of the area had been searched as of Monday night.
While much of the focus has been on Lahaina, fires continue to burn in the Upcountry region of Maui. In the Upcountry town of Kula, located just 25 miles east of the Lahaina disaster, firefighters on Tuesday were battling smaller blazes, which have ravaged approximately 700 acres and claimed 19 homes.
How to watch Biden’s comments on Maui wildfires
- What: President Biden comments on Maui wildfires
- Date: Tuesday, August 15, 2023
- Time: 2 p.m. ET
- Location: Ingeteam, Inc., in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Online stream: Live on CBS News in the player above and on your mobile or streaming device.
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