In what is one of Northern California's deadliest fires, 40 have reported dead and more than 200 injured. Firefighters continue to bring the situation under control, while those alive realise all their belongings have gone up in flames.

Survivors are considering themselves lucky to be alive. Firefighters are fighting the blazes and combing the smouldering ruins to find survivors. Almost 2,17,000 acres have been burned and 5,700 buildings have been reduced to rubble, according to statistics from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Mandatory evacuations were issued when winds picked up, carrying flames to new areas. Some counties severely affected by the fires are still not safe for residents to return to, said officials.