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Monday was an emotional day for many Maui families as they returned to their homes for the first time since wildfires destroyed the area nearly seven weeks ago.

Officials have begun lifting entry restrictions to the burn zone in Lahaina and have divided the destruction into 17 different zones and dozens of sub-zones, so visitations can be both scheduled and supervised.

It’s a bittersweet moment for the residents. For some, it’s the first chance they’ve had to see if anything remains of their home. But for others, it means revisiting the area where they lost loved ones while fleeing the blaze.

Some nonprofit groups have offered protective equipment, but officials warn against sifting through debris to recover belongings. They say the ash can contain asbestos, lead, arsenic, and other deadly toxins.

It’s going to be a long road to recovery and we need to keep Lahaina in our prayers.