Apocalyptic orange sky above Disneyland California as rides coated in eerie layer of ash from fires engulfing state

Wildfires have now burned at least 170,000 acres

Visitors said they could 'smell the flames' (juniorolivas / Instagram)

As wildfires raged across Northern California, authorities have said the fires have burned more than 3,500 buildings and at least 23 people have died.

The fires have been among the largest and most damaging in the state’s history. Some 285 people are missing and 25,000 have been forced to flee their homes.

Eerie photos of Disneyland California, clouded over with smoke and ash dropping from an orange sky, which have emphasised the magnitude of the disaster.

Disneyland has said it will stay open.

More than 100 people have been treated in hospitals for fire-related injuries and smoke inhalation.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is trying to bring the fires under control.

The Canyon fire 2 in the nearby Anaheim Hills has burned at least 7,500 acres.

"@Disneyland looking surreal with #canyonfire2 burning in the distance," wrote Laura Olden on Twitter.

Twitter user S Preston said: "Anaheim fire as seen from Disneyland. Ash dropping everywhere. #Wildfire."

President Trump declared the fires as a “major disaster” and has approved additional funding to the state.

Vice President Mike Pence said Congress will consider allocating $576m and passing new legislation to aid fire suppression in the future.

"To California, we say though this declaration, we are with you, our prayers are with you and we will be with you every day until we put the fires out," he said.

In Santa Rosa, blocks in some neighborhoods resembled war zones, with little left but charred debris, broken walls, chimneys and the steel frames of burned-out cars.

The 23 recorded deaths make the fires the deadliest in the state since 1991, with Tubbs, which has accounted for 13 fatalities, the worst single blaze since 2003, according to state data.

In addition to high winds, the fires have been stoked by an abundance of thick brush left tinder dry by a summer of hot, dry weather.

Matt Nauman, spokesman for the region's main utility, Pacific Gas & Electric, said many power lines had fallen during gales that packed gusts in excess of 75 miles (120km) per hour.

Agencies contributed to this report