Watch live: Officials provide update on Maui fires as they continue to rage

At least 36 people have died, officials say, and hundreds of structures have been destroyed as fires continue to rage on the island of Maui in Hawaii. The fires first began Tuesday, and have since grown and spread in destruction, forcing hundreds of evacuations and leaving thousands without power. The exact cause of the fires is unknown, although some experts believe human development on the island is at least partly to blame, including nonnative grass planted by plantation owners unfamiliar with the native ecosystem, which is dry and prone to fires. The National Guard has been activated by Hawaii officials to assist police in Maui. The areas most impacted include Lahaina, a residential and tourist area with a commercial district in West Maui; Kula, a residential area in the inland, mountainous Upcounty region; and Kihei, a mix of homes, condos, short-term vacation rentals and visitor facilities in South Maui. » Subscribe to USA TODAY: http://bit.ly/1xa3XAh » USA TODAY delivers current local and national news, sports, entertainment, finance, technology, and more through award-winning journalism, photos, videos and VR.