California Wildfire Map: Death Toll Reaches 44 As Blaze Continues To Spread

The death toll from Camp Fire in California rose to 44 after the officials said they had discovered the remains of 13 more people Monday. The Camp Fire had burned 117,000 acres and was only about 30 percent contained as of Monday evening.

Butte County Sheriff Kory L. Honea said in a press conference Monday night more than 200 people were missing in and around the town; however, he was unable to provide the exact number.

“My sincere hope is that I don’t have to come here each night and report a higher and higher number,” he said, the New York Times reported.

The deadliest fire in the state history has destroyed more than 7,100 homes and businesses — particularly in the town of Paradise. The 27,000-person town was reduced to ashes with landmarks, schools and businesses completely destroyed.

“Paradise has always been a close-knit, strong community. We need to depend on that strength more than ever now. We have a long and arduous process in front of us, but we are committed to rebuilding and making our town Paradise again,” Paradise Mayor Jody Jones said, San Francisco Gate reported.

The blaze had displaced more than 50,000 people and continued to rage farther south.

Mark Beveridge, a press and information officer with Cal Fire, stressed it was impossible to say how much progress the searchers have made and it was also unclear how long it will take them to make their way through all the rubbles, Redding reported.

Honea said they will be getting two portable morgue units from the military and cadaver dogs to help with the search.

Late Monday, President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for the state by tweeting, “I just approved an expedited request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of California. Wanted to respond quickly in order to alleviate some of the incredible suffering going on. I am with you all the way. God Bless all of the victims and families affected.”

The Woolsey Fire burning in Southern California has charred more than 90,000 acres in communities like Malibu and Thousand Oaks. It has destroyed 370 structures with more than 55,000 buildings still at risk. At least two persons were killed — taking the total death toll to 44.

The weather prognosis was not good for Southern California.

"The latest rounds of Santa Ana winds are going strong in Southern California. We are seeing gusts near 50 mph. It's an extreme fire danger, the upper end of the scale,” AccuWeather senior meteorologist Dave Samuhel told USA Today.

Trump had previously blamed “poor” forest management for the fires.

“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!” he had tweeted.