Winds associated with Hurricane Dora, which is passing hundreds of miles south of Hawaii, have helped to fan wildfires across the state's Big Island and Maui. The fires have damaged structures, prompted rescues and even spurred people to jump into the ocean to escape danger, according to officials.

In Maui County, 12 people were rescued near Lahaina after “entering the ocean due to smoke and fire conditions,” the Coast Guard and county officials said. “Individuals were transported by the Coast Guard to safe areas,” Maui County officials said in a news release.

Dora, a powerful Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 130 mph, was about 740 miles southwest of Honolulu as of late Tuesday (5 a.m. ET Wednesday), the National Hurricane Center said.