California is facing an “unprecedented” wildfire crisis, according to firemen struggling to fight the blaze.
Only five percent of the wildfire has been contained, and strong winds in the state are creating fire-tornados that are uprooting trees and overturning cars.
This comes as three more people were killed by inferno – a great-grandmother and two children, as dozens of others remain missing.
A total of five people are feared to been killed by the wildfires – including a firefighter and an 81-year-old bulldozer operator.
The children’s mother, Sherry Bledsoe, told reporters: “My babies are dead, that’s all I can say.”
More than 38,000 people have been ordered to evacuate their homes as the fires enter their sixth day.
Meteorologists predict the hot, dry weather to continue for rest of the next week, meaning the blaze could become even more difficult to control.
Some 10,000 firefighters are battling the so-called Carr Fir fire, which is growing “uncontrollably” and has spawned 14 different wildfires.
The blaze, which ignited on Monday due to a car problem, has scorched acres of land, as “bone-dry conditions” in the area have created a “tinderbox” scenario.
Donald Trump has already declared an emergency in California, allowing the state affected by the wildfires to receive federal assistance.
The latest tally of 536 destroyed structures was up from 500 earlier in the day, and sure to rise.
As of last night, 17 water-dropping helicopters were actively trying to expand the containment area.
At a community meeting in Redding, California, fire command spokesman Rick Young said 150 fire engines had been newly deployed to the blaze, many from out of state.
National Guard troops also were called in to assist at roadblocks due to “a lot of looting in evacuation zones”.