HONOLULU -- A massive wild fire on Lanai prompted authorities to evacuate the Manele Bay Hotel and nearby residences, Maui County officials said.

The fire started at about noon in the Palawai Basin and is now burning south of Lanai City. It scorched more than 1,000 acres so far.

It is currently burning 2 to 3 miles from the Four Seasons Manele Bay Hotel. Winds up to 30 mph are making it difficult to extinguish the fire.

Crews helped about 600 people to leave the hotel. Fire officials decided at about 4 p.m. Tuesday that there was no longer a threat to the hotel. Police allowed the guests to return to the home.

"I am looking at an area that's 3 or 4 miles across and see one, two, three, four, five, at least six different places where there are fires, and the one in the center is a line of fire, so that's a big one," witness Ron Gingerich said.

The Maui Fire Department dispatched about a dozen firefighters from Maui to help fight the fire. Maui fire is also sending its helicopter and supplies.

Maui County officials said there is also a power outage, but they were not clear how many residents are affected.