Shocking new footage and pictures have emerged from Hawaii showing the devastation caused by the wildfires.
Wildfires fanned by winds of Hurricane Dora killed at least six people and devastated much of Hawai'i's Maui island.
The US Coastguard has had to rescue dozens of locals from the ocean after they fled into the water to escape the dangerous wildfires on Maui and Hawai'i Island/Moku o Keawe.
The wind-fuelled fires have burned multiple structures, forced evacuations, and closed schools in several communities.
New footage has emerged showing the devastation caused by the wildfires. Drone footage shared by Clint Hansen of Maui Real Estate Radio shows the fires quickly spreading near Kihei, in west Maui.
Photos posted to Twitter show what looks like houses turned to rubble in Lāhainā, with smoke lingering around the area.
Lāhainā is a popular tourist area, with about 9000 residents.
At least 271 structures there have been affected.
Helicopter footage posted from Maui Luxury Real Estate shows boats completely destroyed, with the caption: "It is far from hyperbole to say that Lāhainā has been wiped off the map."
Reuters reports multiple neighbourhoods have burnt to the ground as the western side of the island, including the tourist resort of Lāhainā, was nearly cut off with only one highway open.
Officials said they were looking into witness reports of people being trapped in their cars.
"Our main focus now is to save lives, preventing human suffering, and mitigating great property loss," Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen told a news briefing.
The Lāhainā fire is not yet under control, Bissen said, and officials have not determined what started the wildfires.
“I can tell you that we did not anticipate having this many fires simultaneously,” he said.
Lieutenant Governor of Hawai'i Sylvia Luke, who is serving as acting governor because Josh Green is out of state, said shelters are overflowing and resources are taxed.
Thirty power lines are also down, leaving homes, hotels and shelters without electricity, the Associated Press reported.
Mayor of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Wayne Brown tweeted his "devastation" at the news, adding Lāhainā was a favourite surfing spot.
'Could see dead people on the ground' - local
Local residents have given a devastating recount of the destruction caused by the wildfires.
Lāhainā resident Mason Jarvi was able to escape from the city but described the wildfires as an "apocalypse".
"We just had the worst disaster I've ever seen. All of Lāhainā is burnt to a crisp. It's like an apocalypse," Jarvi told Reuters.
Maui resident Clint Hansen told AM on Thursday Maui has been devastated and the wildfires are beyond what "anybody thought was possible".
"I've seen videos of people driving through a flash point where it was so hot that their car was smoking and everything was burning around them," he said.
"You could see dead people on the ground as they're going through... I am getting flooded with texts and calls to check on addresses to see if their property is still there. But I've seen footage of Lāhainā Harbour completely decimated.
"There is nothing left, and I don't know how a boat burns when it's on the water, but they're gone. Every boat in that harbour is gone."
Another video posted to Twitter shows the strength of the winds fanning the flames.
Ed Sniffen of the Hawai'i Department of Transportation said at least 4000 tourists are still trying to leave western Maui.
At least 16 roads are closed but Maui airport was still operating fully and airlines were dropping fares and offering waivers to get people off the island, Sniffen said.
