The wildfires have been intensified by winds from Hurricane Dora, located hundreds of miles south of Hawaii over the Pacific Ocean.

Tragedy strikes as at least 36 individuals lose their lives amid the rapid spread of wildfires on Maui, a Hawaiian island, according to authorities.

The blazes have been fueled by strong winds originating from a passing hurricane, causing the destruction of numerous structures and reducing some areas to ashes.

The island's residents have been compelled to evacuate their homes, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency.

An extensive search and rescue operation is currently underway, as several people remain unaccounted for.

Kamuela Kawaakoa, who sought refuge at an evacuation shelter with his partner and six-year-old son on Tuesday, shared his experience with the Associated Press: "We barely made it out in time. It was so hard to sit there and just watch my town burn to ashes and not be able to do anything. I was helpless."

With five evacuation shelters established on Maui, officials have expressed concern about being "overrun" with people. The island's popularity among tourists has led to advisories urging visitors to avoid the area.

Hawaii Lt Governor Sylvia Luke conveyed the urgency of the situation to reporters, stating, "This is not a safe place to be. We have resources that are being taxed."

Firefighters continue their efforts to contain the active fires, employing helicopters to drop water from above onto the blazes.

Photo by dronepicr, Wikimedia commons.