California wildfire death toll rises to 42: In pics

California: The devastation is complete in Paradise, California, where a wildfire tore through town and destroyed everything, killing at least 42 and destroying so many houses it’s already the most destructive fire on record in the state.

In other places in the state, fires were more selective, leaving some houses leveled and others still standing. Two people were also found dead in a wildfire in Southern California, where flames tore through Malibu mansions and working-class Los Angeles suburbs alike.

More than 8,000 firefighters in all battled three large wildfires burning across nearly 1,040 square kilometres in Northern and Southern California, with out-of-state crews continuing to arrive and gusty, blowtorch winds starting up again.

Check out these photos from Paradise, California:

A firefighter walks by a burning home in Malibu, California

An air tanker drops water on a fire along the Ronald Reagan Freeway 

Firefighter Jose Corona sprays water as flames consume from the fire

Flames climb trees as the Camp Fire tears through Paradise

A firefighter battles a fire along the Ronald Reagan Freeway

A member of the Sacramento County Coroner's office looks for human remains in the rubble of a house

Figurines rest atop a scorched car on Pearson Road

Photo source: AP