Maui wildfires updates: President Biden, first lady get firsthand look at damage

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will travel to Maui on Monday "to meet with first responders, survivors, as well as federal, state, and local officials, in the wake of deadly wildfires on the island," according to the White House.

"In Maui, the President and First Lady will be welcomed by state and local leaders to see firsthand the impacts of the wildfires and the devastating loss of life and land that has occurred on the island, as well as discuss the next steps in the recovery effort," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement on Wednesday. "The President continues to marshal a whole-of-government response to the deadly Maui fires, and he has committed to delivering everything that the people of Hawaii need from the federal government as they recover from this disaster."

-ABC News' Justin Gomez

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said Wednesday that many of those killed by the wildfires on Maui have been found near the ocean.

The death toll currently stands at 106, while 27% of the affected area "has been covered," according to Green.

"Although many of the fatalities were on the road down by the sea," the governor told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos in an interview Wednesday on "Good Morning America."

"We have an enormous team on the ground," he added.

There are 185 rescuers with 20 dogs in the "impact zone" going through each building and house, or what's left of them. They are now "moving from initial phase of the recovery deep into the acute phase," according to Green.

The governor told ABC News that the death toll "will increase," but officials "hope" the figure won’t reach "further catastrophic proportions."

"We just don't know yet," he said.

A road running east to west on Maui was reopened Wednesday night. From 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, people can drive "freely" on that road across the island. The National Guard will be stationed alongside the road so members of the public can’t go into the affected area. From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time, the road will be closed except for emergency drop-offs and local residents, according to Green.

"We have to be very careful not to disturb the scene so we can do the necessary recovery," he said.

The governor told ABC News that he’s made "multiple trips" into the "impact zone."

"This was a tragic combination of both a fire and a hurricane, which meant that, well, extremely high temperatures were traveling at 60 to 81 mph and it swept through, in some cases melting metal and granite and engine blocks -- that's how hot it was," he said. "So it's a very delicate scene. There are toxic metals and asbestos down there."

Green expressed how "grateful" he and the rest of Hawaii is "for everyone's outpouring of support."

"Though the workload's extraordinary and our hearts are broken, we will get through it," he added. "We just are still kind of in the thick of doing recovery."

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Hawaii governor details recovery efforts in Maui fireGov. Josh Green shares an update on the damage after the deadly wildfire that has claimed at least 106 lives.

ABCNews.com

Japan announced Wednesday that it will provide $2 million in assistance for the victims of the wildfires in Hawaii.

The aid will be provided through the American Red Cross and the Japan Platform, both nonprofits.

"Japan will actively provide assistance for the relief of the victims and the earliest possible recovery of the affected areas," the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Wednesday.

-ABC News' Anthony Trotter

At least 106 people have died since wildfires broke out on Maui on Aug. 8, according to officials.

The death toll grew on Tuesday as crews continue to assess the damage and search for victims.

Of the 106 confirmed fatalities, five individuals have been identified but only two have had their next of kin notified, according to Maui County and the Maui Police Department.

-ABC News’ Marilyn Heck