Improved weather conditions helped firefighters make advances overnight in their battle to tame the blaze that has raged out of control for the past five days.

Local authorities said about half a dozen outlying houses and outbuildings were badly damaged in two of the evacuated villages, as well as a church.

Many who lost homes and businesses in the Maui wildfires are camping on the beach. They are living, hour by hour, unsure of what the future holds.