US President Joe Biden on Thursday declared the Hawaii wildfires a "major disaster," unblocking federal funds for the hard-hit island of Maui after the flames claimed at least 36 lives and razed a historic town.
"Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Hawaii and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires," a White House statement said.
Brushfires on Maui's west coast -- fueled by high winds from a hurricane passing to the south -- broke out Tuesday and rapidly engulfed the seaside town of Lahaina, forcing some residents to flee into the ocean.
Biden's office said he had spoken Thursday by phone with Hawaii Governor Josh Green.
The president "expressed his deep condolences for the lives lost and vast destruction of land and property," the White House said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Agniveer's Family Was Paid Rs 98 Lakh: Army After Rahul Gandhi's Claim
Biden "Absolutely Not" Pulling Out Of US Presidential Race: White House "I Am Running": Biden Vows To Stay In Presidential Race "Genocide-Enabling": Another US Official Quits Over Joe Biden's Gaza Policy Agniveer's Family Was Paid Rs 98 Lakh: Army After Rahul Gandhi's Claim Cabinet Panels Named, BJP Allies Get Highest Representation Since 2014 After Manipur Congress MP's Parliament Speech, BJP's "Core Issues" Jab Assam Rifles Rescues Over 500, Reinforces Riverbanks In Imphal Valley "Indian Army Committed To Welfare Of Agniveers," Says Rajnath Singh Biden "Absolutely Not" Pulling Out Of US Presidential Race: White House Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.