Maui wildfires updates: President Biden, first lady tour damage

Two of the 89 bodies recovered from the burned-out area near Lahaina have been identified using DNA, Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said.

Search crews were using dogs on Saturday to look for remains in the wreckage, he said at an evening press conference in Kahului.

Only 3% of the destroyed area had so far been covered, he said. Twelve additional dogs were on the way to aid in the search.

He described the blaze as "a fire that melted metal," saying it had been severe enough that each recovered body will have to be identified using DNA.

"Every one of these 89 are John and Jane Does," he said.

He asked locals to get DNA tests at a nearby facility as a way to speed up the identification process.

"We need to identify your loved ones," the chief said.

At least 89 people have died in the Maui fires, Gov. Josh Green said on Saturday during a live press conference.

"It's going to continue to rise. We want to brace people for that," Green continued.

With Maui's wildfire death toll surpassing California's 2018 Camp Fire, it's now the deadliest U.S. wildfire in modern history.

According to the Pacific Disaster Center, an estimated total of 2,719 structures were exposed to the Lahaina fire; 2,207 structures were damaged or destroyed; and 2,170 acres burned.

Of the buildings exposed to the fire, 86% were classified as residential.

-ABC News' Flor Tolentino

At least 80 people have died in Maui as wildfires continue to flare up, officials said in an update.

Firefighters were working to contain three blazes in Lahaina, Upcountry Maui and near Pulehu and Kihei, official said at about 9 p.m. local time. A fire reported near Kaanapali was 100% contained.

Restrictions on vehicle traffic were in place throughout West Maui, but the road leading out of Lahaina was open, county officials said.

"The burned historic Lahaina town area remains barricaded, with people warned to stay out of the area due to hazards including toxic particles from smoldering areas," the update said said. "Wearing a mask and gloves is advised."

About 1,400 people were at emergency evacuation shelters, county officials said.