California wildfires: 63 dead, 631 missing as rescue ops continue

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and other agencies stated that California's worst wildfire in recent past was 45 per cent contained, with officials expecting full containment by November 30.

Over 63 people have died, while 5,596 personnel have been deployed to tackle the situation on the ground. More than 600 people are missing in the state as Butte County Coroner Kory Honea mentioned that the list of missing people is "dynamic", indicating that the figures are expected to grow.

Air quality in California has plummeted, with The New York Times reporting that the state faced worst air conditions than China and India as thick smog engulfed not only Paradise but distant San Francisco as well.

142,000 acres of land has been destroyed according to official figures as thousands of homes stand decimated.

Two massive fires spread through the state of California a week ago, causing large-scale destruction and forcing hundreds of thousands of Californian residents to abandon their homes and escape, including Hollywood celebrities like Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus.