FOG BLOG U.S. NEWS LOG: AT LEAST 36 DEAD AS FIRES CONSUME MAUI, HAWAII!

Maui wildfires death toll rises to 36; Biden declares ‘major disaster’ in Hawaii Biden said he spoke by phone with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) on Thursday and expressed condolences for the lives lost and destruction caused by the fires.

• Nearly 11,000 people are still without power in Maui, according to PowerOutage.us.

• Satellite photographs show an entire community burned to the ground — with blocks of charred remains where hundreds of homes and shops once stood. In a video shared early Thursday, Luke said rescue teams were “working tirelessly to ensure the health and safety of every person affected.”

• More than 130 Hawaii National Guard members have been activated, and helicopters are searching for those left behind in areas without power and accessible roads. More mass bus evacuations are scheduled for West Maui on Thursday.

• Maui County officials said the wildfire that caused widespread damage in Lahaina was 80 percent contained as of Thursday morning local time. A second fire on Maui was 70 percent contained, officials added, and a third fire is pending further assessment.