California wildfires: Nine dead as 250,000 forced to flee inferno

250,000 people were forced to flea their homes across the state including in Los Angeles, Malibu and Thousand Oaks.

The Woolsey Fire spanning an incredible 35,000-acres has become one of the most destructive in the state’s modern history.

Emergency services were powerless to stop the blaze as 50 mph winds fuelled the spread of the fire throughout the western state, which was described as the “worst-case scenario” after 75,000 homes were threatened.

Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea confirmed the remains of five of the victims in Northern California were discovered in or near burned out cars, three outside residences and one inside a home.

He added: “This event was the worst-case scenario. It was the event we have feared for a long time.”

“Regrettably, not everybody made it out.”

Another 35 people had been reported missing and three firefighters had been injured.

Shocking images reveal the true extent of the inferno which has ripped through the heart of the state.

Brave emergency services can be seen desperately trying to tackle to the flames, residents can be seen using whatever means possible to try and protect their homes with many fleeing with just the clothes on their backs.

Mark Ghilarducci, director of the California Office of Emergency Services described the tragedy as “unbelievable and heartbreaking”.

US President Donald Trump who is currently in France has blamed “poor forest management” for the tragedy and has threatened to withdraw funding.

Mr Trump wrote on Twitter: “There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor.

“Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!”

This is the second disaster to hit the state this week following the mass shooting which left 12 dead.

Former Marine Ian David Long stormed the Borderline Bar & Grill In Thousand Oaks before killing himself.