Maui wildfires updates: President Biden, first lady get firsthand look at damage
The fires burned thousands of homes and commercial buildings to the ground.
The deadly wildfires that erupted on the Hawaiian island of Maui on Aug. 8 have become the deadliest natural disaster in state history, officials said.
The blazes spread rapidly due to very dry conditions stemming from a drought combined with powerful winds. Much of the historic town of Lahaina has been "destroyed," officials said, and the inferno has burned thousands of residential and commercial buildings to the ground.
Latest headlines:
Maui Strong: Charities to directly support wildfire relief efforts
On Thursday, "Good Morning America" and ABC News organized efforts to help viewers get involved in relief efforts for survivors of the Maui fires.
How to help:
-- Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement
-- University of Hawai'i Foundation
-- Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund for Maui
-ABC News’ Kelly McCarthy
What we know about the victims
Over 100 people have died from the devastating wildfires on Maui. Officials have warned that the death toll is expected to rise as they work to contain the active blazes and assess the damage.
Click here to read what we know about some of the victims.
Shelters slowly emptying, more than 1,000 federal responders deployed
The number of fire survivors in congregate shelters has been cut in half as officials move more people into stable housing, and the Red Cross anticipates all residents still in shelters will be relocated to hotels by next week, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Over 1,000 federal responders, including 350 search and rescue team members and K-9 teams, have been deployed to Hawaii, according to FEMA.
Nearly 6,000 people have registered for federal assistance so far, FEMA said. Those who have not yet registered can do so at or by calling .
-ABC News' Anne Flaherty
Fire moved 'like a freight train,' FEMA official says
The fire that ripped through Lahaina moved so quickly that there was little chance for those fleeing to outrun it, an official with the Federal Emergency Management Agency told ABC News.
"This fire was moving like a freight train," John Mills, an agency spokesperson, told ABC News' Whit Johnson on "Good Morning America" on Friday.
Mills added, "People could not drive fast enough to outrun it, much less run fast enough. They sought shelter anywhere they could."
More than half of destroyed area searched
Search crews had covered about 58% of the area destroyed by wildfires in Maui by Thursday evening, up from about 40% the evening prior, officials said in a late update.
The number of fatalities confirmed remained at 111 as of about 9 p.m. local time on Thursday, officials said.
-ABC News’ Ahmad Hemingway
Maui Emergency Management Agency official resigns over health reasons
Maui Emergency Management Agency administrator Herman Andaya, who on Wednesday defended not sounding the sirens as wildfires ripped through the island, has resigned.
Andaya cited health reasons for resigning, according to a news release from the mayor's office
Mayor Richard Bissen accepted the resignation and announced Thursday night he will quickly work to fill the position.
“Given the gravity of the crisis we are facing, my team and I will be placing someone in this key position as quickly as possible and I look forward to making that announcement soon,” Bissen said in a statement.