The wildfire that swept through Lahaina in August has been deemed America's deadliest in a century, claiming the lives of at least 99 individuals. The devastating images of people jumping into the Pacific Ocean to escape the fast-moving flames that engulfed the historic town are still fresh in the public's memory. However, there is an untold story surrounding a group of firefighters who found themselves trapped while battling the inferno. These brave Maui county firefighters recount the harrowing two hours that forever changed their lives.

On the morning of August 8th, Lahaina woke up to clear blue skies and winds gusting at nearly 60 miles per hour. Aina Kohler, a firefighter who grew up in the town, recalls watching the ocean and witnessing an unprecedented sight. The winds whipped the ocean into a frenzy, creating whirlwinds that lasted for over an hour. The force of the winds was unlike anything they had ever experienced.

Kohler, who drives Engine 3, explains that the day began with her crew containing a brushfire that had broken out earlier. They worked tirelessly to ensure the fire did not spread further. After several hours of dousing hot spots with water, they shifted their focus to other calls in the neighborhood. However, around three o'clock in the afternoon, they were called back to the area of the morning fire.

As they returned, they noticed that the fire was moving rapidly, with smoke billowing sideways instead of rising. The cause of this second fire remains unknown. Mike Walker, in charge of fire protection for Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources, had previously warned lawmakers about the danger posed by the overgrown grass in Lahaina. The grass, brought from Africa a century ago for cattle grazing, grows rapidly even with little water. Walker emphasizes that the lack of management and maintenance of the land has contributed to the dangerous conditions that led to the devastating fire.

By the time the firefighters arrived at the scene, the fire had spread towards homes half a mile away. Keahi Ho, based in Lahaina on Ladder 3, recalls the moment he realized the severity of the situation. Every structure he could see was on fire, and the fire was moving at an alarming pace. However, the most critical blow came when the hydrants started running dry. The fire had caused more than 2,000 pipe breaks, draining the water supply system.

The lack of water and the inability to escape left the firefighters feeling hopeless. They were forced to take shelter in their fire trucks, relying on air tanks to breathe. Tanner Mosher, only 26 years old, decided to take matters into his own hands. He jumped into a small fire truck called a skeeter to try and clear a path for the other engines to escape. However, he soon realized that the barricade of abandoned cars was impassable. In a split-second decision, he drove over the cars, narrowly avoiding power lines, and made his way to find help.

Meanwhile, the other firefighters sheltered behind their engine, desperately hoping for salvation. The windshield of the truck began to melt, and they knew they had to find an escape. They heard a faint siren but due to the thick smoke, couldn't see where it was coming from. Finally, a police SUV arrived, and the seven firefighters crammed inside, with Captain Mullalley unconscious from smoke inhalation. Mosher, who had returned with the police vehicle, saved their lives by driving them to safety.

Once clear of immediate danger, the firefighters didn't rest. They performed CPR on Captain Mullalley and stabilized him before returning to their duties. Throughout the night, they fought fires and did their best to save as many lives as possible. With limited water resources, their focus shifted to rescuing people rather than preserving property.

The aftermath of the fire is devastating. Over 2,000 homes and businesses were destroyed, reducing Lahaina, once a picturesque town, to a sea of ash and charred debris. Hawaii's attorney general is now investigating the cause of the afternoon fire and the failure of the water system. The flammable grass that contributed to the disaster is already regrowing in the hills above Lahaina.

Captain Fujita, reflecting on the battle they fought, takes us to the site where his crew made their stand. The ashes before us mark the outline of what was once Engine 1. It is a somber reminder of the sacrifices made by these firefighters. When asked what he thinks about the fight now, Captain Fujita responds with a sense of pride and determination. Despite the immense loss, the firefighters never gave up and continued to serve their community until the next morning.