Some residents, property owners and business owners could be allowed to go back to their fire-damaged properties in Lahaina as soon as Sept. 25, Maui County officials announced Thursday afternoon.

Maui Emergency Management Agency Interim Director Darryl Oliveira said that the county was working to determine which fire-stricken zones in Lahaina are safe for reentry. Properties that will be open for reentry will be the ones that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cleared of household hazardous materials. So far 464 properties have been cleared, Oliveira said Thursday.

Officials are planning to announce Monday which zones will be opened for reentry. Property owners, residents and businesses will be notified and passes to enter the areas should be issued by Sept. 22 for reentry as early as Sept. 25, Oliveira said.

“The purpose and goal of the reentry plan is to help our residents, our businesses with getting back to their property temporarily to see and get some closure,” Oliveira said at a news conference at the Kalana O Maui county building Thursday afternoon. “For many of them, they have lost everything, including loved ones. We want to make this process as comfortable and as easy on them and keep them safe.

“For anyone that has had the opportunity to be out in the Lahaina area affected by the fire, it is just overwhelming to see the devastation. So part of our process is really supporting family members, residents, and people going out there as we escort them out there to make this as easy on them and to prepare them for what to experience.”

Oliveira said that residents may bring in faith leaders and insurance adjusters with them. There will also be health care providers and mental health providers on hand, and the county will bring portable toilets, water and washing stations. Those who visit the burn zones will also be outfitted with personal protective equipment, including coveralls, booties and respirators.

Mahina Martin, chief of communications and public affairs for the county, said after the news conference people will be notified that their zone is cleared by phone, email or other methods depending on the contacts the county has on hand. Property owners will be found through property tax records.

Martin said that residents, businesses owners and property owners should also monitor the mauirecovers.org website, which will have information about reentry, including a map of the open and closed zones.

Martin said that the reentry process will take “awhile,” as multiple agencies need to visit the properties to ensure they are safe, including the EPA and various inspectors.

Residents will receive small cards as passes for reentry and will meet at the Lahaina Civic Center to be briefed prior to their reentry, including information about safety issues, Oliveira said.

Reentry to the affected areas will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. Oliveira said the county and other agencies will escort groups of residents to their properties twice, during which officials will “stand back” and allow people “to have their personal space.” After the initial visits, unescorted access will be given to those owners, residents and occupants for their specific properties only.

Escorts to the properties will include the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, which is a coalition of nonprofits that aim to coordinate responses to disasters, according to the organization’s website. The nonprofits can help with a number of services, including sifting through debris, Oliveira said. There will also be officials with the county Department of Public Works, Maui Police Department and other agencies.

Oliveria strongly advised those with health conditions, especially respiratory issues, not to enter the burn areas. He also discouraged taking kupuna and children into the area, noting the health and safety concerns and long-term effects.

When asked about keeping unauthorized people out of properties, Oliveira did not give a specific plan but said that he asks that people be allowed to grieve and heal, and warned that the areas can be hazardous.

“It’s not a safe environment to be in out there,” he said.

* Staff Writer Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.