Unprecedented wildfires in Hawaii that continued to rage in Maui Thursday have caused at least 36 deaths and reduced towns to ash since they broke out less than 48 hours earlier.

The flames, which broke out Tuesday, were fanned by strong winds by Hurricane Dora, forcing more than 11,000 people to flee their homes, many in the middle of the night. Some even had to dive into the ocean to escape flames.

Some of the evacuees reported they spent the nights in cars outside high schools. Others spent the night in churches or high schools.

On Thursday, people were still being asked to avoid Lahaina, one of the hardest hit regions, and its surrounding areas.

Where are shelters located in Maui? Churches open doors to residents

The County of Maui opened emergency shelters and evacuation centers this week.

The shelters are open to both residents and tourists on the island, according to the Maui Emergency Management Agency.

Here's a list of shelters and evacuation centers available, as of Thursday morning Hawaii time:

  • Maui High School at 660 Lono Avenue in Kahuluil;
  • War Memorial Gym at 700 Halia Nakoa Street in Wailuku;
  • Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center, 91 Pukalani Street in Pukalani. The American Red Cross is staffing an emergency shelter here and the Maui Humane Society is providing support for the shelter.
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1300 Maui Lani Parkway in Kahului.
  • King’s Cathedral Maui, a church at 777 Maui Veteran’s Highway in Kahului.
  • Oskie Rice Arena on Olinda Road in Makawao is available for farm and ranch animals that need to be evacuated.

The American Red Cross has a map of open shelters that updates as the situation evolves.

In an update posted on the county's website Thursday, officials thanked the churches for providing additional shelter sites to accommodate full occupancy at existing shelters.

"Our church is open," King’s Cathedral Maui Minister Lawrence Baisa told USA TODAY Thursday morning. "Last night we were to capacity but some of the people have already left to catch planes. I'm thinking we will have some more room tonight. People just need to come by and check."

The shelters will remain open until further notice, according to the county.

Live updates:36 dead, thousands flee as Hawaii wildfires rage in Maui

"Evacuees are reminded that emergency shelters do not provide bedding, toiletries and personal care items," county wrote.

Pet owners utilizing the shelter must also have their animals properly restrained. Evacuees are being reminded by the county to bring any medications and pet food.

Officials said Maui County Emergency Operating Center remained fully activated Thursday in coordination with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency for state and federal resources.

Bus evacuation information

A mass bus evacuation for residents and visitors in West Maui that began earlier this week resumed at 8:30 a.m. local time on Thursday, county officials said.

Boarding is staged at Whalers Village entryway fronting Kāʻanapali Parkway.

Visitors are being taken directly to the Kahului Airport.

"Due to limited resources in this time of crisis, visitors with vehicles or any means of transportation are being asked to leave Lahaina and Maui as soon as possible," the county said Wednesday.

Residents are being taken to shelters.

Three Hawaii Motor coaches, each with a capacity of 49 people are being used and additional buses from partner agencies will be added in based on demand, the county wrote.

"The road to recovery will be long," state Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke told reporters this week at a press conference. "The damage to the infrastructure is not just buildings these were small businesses that invested in Maui these were local residents and we need to figure out a way to help a lot of people."

Other relief and recovery efforts

Meanwhile, in an effort to provide relief and recovery to people and first responders, GlobalGiving, a non-profit organization based in Washington D.C. that provides a global crowdfunding platform for charitable project, this week launched the Hawaii Wildfire Relief Fund.

Global Giving CEO Victoria Vrana said GlobalGiving’s partners on Thursday were providing food, water, and emergency medical supplies, in addition to temporary relief and emergency supplies for displaced families, firefighters and other front-line workers.

“People in Hawaii urgently need help to face this crisis," Vrana told USA TODAY. "Communication right now remains difficult, with the situation still dangerous, active fires burning, and communications systems down."

"When you donate to GlobalGiving’s Hawaii Wildfire Relief Fund, you’re supporting many different, trusted nonprofits on the frontlines − including local nonprofits that were here before the fires started and will be there long after the news cameras leave. What makes a donation to our fund especially powerful is our commitment to both immediate and long-term recovery efforts run by local, vetted partners.”

Other ways to donate can be found here.

Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @nataliealund.

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