Hawaii wildfires: Official update after at least 53 killed by fires in Maui

At least 53 people have died as of Thursday evening after wildfires, fanned by winds from a faraway hurricane, devastated much of the resort city of Lahaina on Hawaii's Maui island, Maui County said in a statement.

Multiple neighborhoods were burnt to the ground as the western side of the island was nearly cut off, with only one highway open and thousands to evacuate as officials told of widespread devastation to Lahaina, its harbor and surrounding areas.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said it would take “many years” to rebuild the historic town of Lahaina and estimated damage to be in the billions of dollars. He said the extent of the destruction in Lahaina would “shock you.”

Officials said the winds from Hurricane Dora, hundreds of miles to the southwest, had fanned the flames across the state.

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said late on Wednesday that the National Weather Service has cancelled the "Red Flag Warning" and "High Wind Advisory" for all Hawaiian islands, but Maui County officials said firefighting efforts were ongoing.