'Apocalyptic': People scramble for safety as Hawaii wildfires rage; 6 dead in Maui.

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Wind-whipped wildfires in Hawaii forced hundreds of evacuations Wednesday, overwhelmed hospitals and even sent some residents fleeing into the ocean to escape the flames as parts of the popular tourist destination turned into a raging inferno in a matter of hours.

Six people have died in the wildfires, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said at a press conference Wednesday.

Homes and businesses went up in smoke in historic Lahaina Town in Maui, where blazes fueled by wind from a passing hurricane were concentrated. In addition, a fire in a rural community of the Big Island threatened about 200 homes.

County of Maui spokesperson Mahina Martin told USA TODAY the fires are affecting two areas of the island: Lahaina, a residential and tourist area with a commercial district in West Maui, and Kula, a residential area in the inland, mountainous upcountry region.

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