Hawaii's Maui County wildfires claim 36 lives

After devastating Europe and Canada, wildfires started Wednesday in Hawaii's Maui Country claiming at least 36 lives so far, local officials said Thursday, forcing thousands to vacate the area.  

"As the firefighting efforts continue, 36 total fatalities have been discovered today amid the active Lahaina fire," the Maui county government said in a statement.

According to Hawaii News Now, Maui County said more than 100 firefighters at any one time are battling the active wildfires on the island, where winds were finally abating Wednesday night.

There are no further details about the 36 deceased people however residents are turning to social media to look at their loved ones.

Authorities have opened five evacuation shelters on Maui. Earlier, officials said they were "overrun" with people. The island is a popular tourist destination and visitors have been urged to stay away.

Hawaii Lt Governor Sylvia Luke told reporters: "This is not a safe place to be. We have resources that are being taxed."

"We just had the worst disaster I've ever seen. All of Lahaina is burnt to a crisp. It's like an apocalypse," resident Mason Jarvi told the media.

Jarvi said he suffered burns after riding through the flames on his bike to save his dog.

Governor Luke said it could take months to assess the full scope of the damage from the fires.

"This is the entire state coming together to assist our family on Maui," she said Wednesday.

She added: "We never anticipated a hurricane that did not make impact would cause this type of wildfires. Wildfires that wiped out communities. Wildfires that wiped out businesses."

On Wednesday, At least six people died and scores of others left Maui County after wind-fueled wildfires destroyed hundreds of buildings in Lahaina.

"We are still in a search and rescue mode, and so I don't know what will happen to that number," Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said Wednesday.

Firefighters are still in the process of containing active fires, with helicopters spraying water on the fires from above.

Lahaina is a resort city and the main tourist destination on the island. It has been devastated by the fire as images show huge areas decimated.