Rescue workers found the bodies of "many" victims of the fire that hit the city of Paradise in California, raising the death toll to 23 people, according to AFP.
The bodies were recovered for hours from the remains of burning houses in Paradise. Before the bodies were found, at least nine people were killed in California fires.
"The magnitude of the devastation we've seen is really incredible," said Mark Geraldoshi of California's emergency services office.
The fire, known as Campfire, which has been spreading rapidly from high winds since Thursday night, is the most devastating in California.
Authorities said on Thursday they had asked thousands of people in the north of the state to leave their homes because of the rapidly expanding fire.
"This disaster is very serious, please leave your home if you are asked," the California Forest and Fire Protection Department wrote in a tweet on Twitter.
The fire, known as Campfire and late for the US fire season, came in dozens of homes in Buti province where authorities declared an emergency.
The fire, which has destroyed more than 6,700 homes and businesses, threatens about 15,000 sensitive points.
The disaster, which was filled with violent winds, covered the city of Paradise with heavy smoke and ash.
