Firefighters continue to battle the fires in the historic Hawaiian town of Lahaina that was spread by winds from Hurricane Dora on Tuesday, CBS News reported.
“36 total fatalities have been discovered (Wednesday) today amid the active Lahaina fire,” Maui County officials said on social media. “No other details are available at this time.”
More than 250 structures have been damaged or destroyed and dozens of people are injured, according to CBS News.
Firefighters were continuing to battle blazes in several places on the island Wednesday and have urged visitors to stay away.
“No cell phone coverage, no internet, and no way to contact the outside world. And we got to this side of the island about midnight last night,” Jamie Brown told Reuters. “Woke up (Wednesday) this morning and got on our phones to pictures of our house, just down to the slab. Nothing but smoke, cinders.”
Julie Lim is on vacation with her family.
She said they had to sleep in their car and wait for flights to resume after the fires disrupted travel in and out of the area.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green said he has been in touch with officials, including the White House, as his state continues to grapple with the fires, in a statement Wednesday.
He is returning to Hawaii after leaving for an out-of-state trip last month.
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Hawaii Winds Fires Members of a Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources wildland firefighting crew on Maui battle a fire in Kula, Hawaii, on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. Several Hawaii communities were forced to evacuate from wildfires that destroyed at least two homes as of Tuesday as a dry season mixed with strong wind gusts made for dangerous fire conditions. (Matthew Thayer/The Maui News via AP) (Matthew Thayer/AP)
Hawaii Winds Fires Smoke blows across the slope of Haleakala volcano on Maui, Hawaii, as a fire burns in Maui's upcountry region on Tuesday, Aug. 8. 2023. Several Hawaii communities were forced to evacuate from wildfires that destroyed at least two homes as of Tuesday as a dry season mixed with strong wind gusts made for dangerous fire conditions. (Matthew Thayer/The Maui News via AP) (Matthew Thayer/AP)
Hawaii wildfires Authorities said wildfires prompted thousands of people to evacuate parts of Hawaii on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. (JosephoenixDM/Getty Images/iStockphoto, File)
Hawaii Fires Smoke and flames fill the air from raging wildfires on Front Street in downtown Lahaina, Maui on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2023. Maui officials say wildfire in the historic town has burned parts of one of the most popular tourist areas in Hawaii. County of Maui spokesperson Mahina Martin said in a phone interview early Wednesday says fire was widespread in Lahaina, including Front Street, an area of the town popular with tourists. (Alan Dickar via AP) (Alan Dickar/AP)
Hawaii Fires This photo provided by County of Maui shows fire and smoke filling the sky from wildfires on the intersection at Hokiokio Place and Lahaina Bypass in Maui, Hawaii on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. Wildfires in Hawaii fanned by strong winds burned multiple structures in areas including historic Lahaina town, forcing evacuations and closing schools in several communities Wednesday, and rescuers pulled a dozen people escaping smoke and flames from the ocean. (Zeke Kalua/County of Maui via AP) (Zeke Kalua/AP)
Hawaii Fires People watch as smoke and flames fill the air from raging wildfires on Front Street in downtown Lahaina, Maui on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2023. Maui officials say wildfire in the historic town has burned parts of one of the most popular tourist areas in Hawaii. County of Maui spokesperson Mahina Martin said in a phone interview early Wednesday says fire was widespread in Lahaina, including Front Street, an area of the town popular with tourists. (Alan Dickar via AP) (Uncredited/AP)
Hawaii Fires People watch as smoke and flames fill the air from raging wildfires on Front Street in downtown Lahaina, Maui on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2023. Maui officials say wildfire in the historic town has burned parts of one of the most popular tourist areas in Hawaii. County of Maui spokesperson Mahina Martin said in a phone interview early Wednesday says fire was widespread in Lahaina, including Front Street, an area of the town popular with tourists. (Alan Dickar via AP) (Alan Dickar/AP)
