A video shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, allegedly shows lights in the sky in Lahaina, Maui prior to the recent wildfires. 

What’s that in the Maui sky .. just before the “fire” #MauiFire pic.twitter.com/O2uQWIy8Id

— angela 🇮🇪🌼🌸 (@angela100602) August 16, 2023

Verdict: False

The video is miscaptioned. The footage was actually captured in Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida.

Fact Check:

Two weeks after the Lahaina wildfire, 115 people have been confirmed dead and over 1,000 people are missing, according to Hawaii News Now. Authorities in Hawaii asked the family of those missing to come forward and provide DNA samples to help identify remains discovered in the ashes, AP News reported.

An X video purports streaks of light were seen in the sky in Maui before the wildfires. The video is taken from afar and shows a beach with civilians watching the sky.

“What’s that in the Maui sky .. just before the ‘fire,'” the caption reads.

However, this video was not taken in Maui. The Lahaina wildlife broke out on Aug. 8, according to CBS News. The video was posted to YouTube on July 31 by an account called @DogtoothMedia, predating the wildfires. “Carmen Rich was filming a storm off the coast of Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida, US, last month [June 17] when he saw a ‘ball of light’ flying across the sky,” the video’s caption reads in part. (RELATED: Video Showing Sidewalk Of Fire Is Not From Maui)

An article from the Daily Mail shows screenshots of the video, confirming that it was taken at Fort Lauderdale Beach. The outlet reported Rich believed it was a “UFO” and commenters on his original post agreed with the assessment.

Check Your Fact has reached out to Dogtooth Media for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received.