UAE Urges Citizens to Take Precautions Following Hawaii Wildfires

The UAE has urged its citizens in Hawaii to "exercise caution" following deadly wildfires on the island of Maui.

"It is important to stay away from fire-affected areas and follow the guidance issued by local authorities. In case of any emergency, please get in touch with the provided emergency number: +1 (310) 551-6534," UAE Consulate General in Los Angeles said.

The death toll from the wildfires reached 89 as of Saturday, making them the deadliest to hit the US in over a century.

Hawaii governor Josh Green warned during a press conference on Saturday that the death toll is likely to increase as the effort to find and identify the dead is still in its early stages.

Crews with cadaver dogs that have been trained to carry out search and rescue efforts have covered just 3 percent of the search area.

"It will certainly be the worst natural disaster that Hawaii ever faced…We can only wait and support those who are living. Our focus now is to reunite people when we can and get them housing and get them health care, and then turn to rebuilding," Green said, as quoted by CBS News.

The total death toll from the Hawaii wilfires has surpassed the number of deaths recorded during the 2018 California blaze, in which 85 people were killed. A centry prior, Cloquet Fire in northern Minnesota killed hundreds of people in 1918.