California wildfires latest: 'Camp Fire' blaze becomes deadliest in state's history as 42 are killed in its path

One of three wildfires raging in California has become the deadliest and most destructive in the state’s history, claiming the lives of at least 42 people.

The Camp Fire death toll’s grim milestone came as firefighters continued to battle blazes at both ends of the region, with 44 killed in total across the state.

Fierce winds still threaten lives and homes in Southern California's Woolsey Fire, which has killed two people, with strong gusts near hurricane force expected on Tuesday.

The fire has already razed at least 90,000 acres of land and destroyed hundreds of buildings.

Rescue teams made progress tackling the Camp Fire, where most of the dead have been found, which devastated the town of Paradise after the blaze took hold last week.

Terrifying footage has emerged of police officers driving towards the huge wildfires as rescue attempts continued with more than 200 people still missing.

Hundreds of thousands of evacuation orders have been issued, with President Donald Trump approving a major disaster declaration across the state, which allows access more federal funds.

The Camp Fire death toll has exceeded that of the Griffith Park Fire in 1933, the deadliest wildfire on record in California. At least 228 people remained missing, according to Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea.

It has also emerged that the homes of stars including Robin Thicke, Miley Cyrus and Gerard Butler were completely destroyed in the wildfires.

Dozens of celebrities including Kim Kardashian West, Caitlyn Jenner and Lady Gaga were forced to flee their Malibu area homes to escape the fires.

Kardashian and Kanye West have hired a private team of firefighters to battle flames surrounding their luxury home in the Hidden Hills, according to reports.

They are being praised by their neighbours for employing the team, who dug trenches to stop the fires engulfing the house, celebrity news website TMZ said.

Actor Gerard Butler said on Instagram that his Malibu home was "half-gone".

Shocking pictures showed the charred remains of singer Robin Thicke's mansion after it was destroyed by the wildfires.

The singer's partner April Love Geary, who is pregnant, shared a picture of the front gate and the blackened area where their home once was.

"Our house is somewhere in there. I'm so sad but so thankful that we all made it out safe. Praying for everyone in Malibu, our city is up in flames," said Geary.