California wildfire's death toll rises to 48
AP
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Authorities have reported six more fatalities from a blaze in Northern California, bringing the total number of fatalities so far to 48 in the deadliest wildfire in state history.

Surfboards are seen inside a destroyed Volkswagen van at a home destroyed by the Woolsey Fire on Dume Drive in the Point Dume area of Malibu in Southern California, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018. [Photo: AP]

Surfboards are seen inside a destroyed Volkswagen van at a home destroyed by the Woolsey Fire on Dume Drive in the Point Dume area of Malibu in Southern California, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018. (Photo: AP)

The announcement came Tuesday after authorities ramped up the search for more victims buried in rubble left by the blaze that incinerated the town of Paradise.

Many friends and relatives of those living in the fire zone say they haven't heard from loved ones. Some went to shelters looking for them.

More than 5,000 firefighters are still battling the blaze that charred 195 square miles (505 square kilometers) since it started Thursday.

The fire has destroyed about 7,700 homes and displaced 52,000 people.

The statewide death toll from wildfires over the past week in California has reached 50.

The Malibu, Calif., villa of German TV presenter Thomas Gottschalk lies in ruins Tuesday, Nov. 13, 3018. [Photo: AP]

The Malibu, Calif., villa of German TV presenter Thomas Gottschalk lies in ruins Tuesday, Nov. 13, 3018. (Photo: AP)

Roger Kelton, 67, wipes his tears while searching through the remains of his mother-in-law's home burned down by the Woolsey Fire Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, in Agoura Hills, Calif. [Photo: AP]

Roger Kelton, 67, wipes his tears while searching through the remains of his mother-in-law's home burned down by the Woolsey Fire Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, in Agoura Hills, Calif. (Photo: AP)

A mansion burned down by the Woolsey Fire sits on a hilltop overlooking the Santa Monica Mountains Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, in Agoura Hills, Calif.  [Photo: AP]

A mansion burned down by the Woolsey Fire sits on a hilltop overlooking the Santa Monica Mountains Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, in Agoura Hills, Calif. (Photo: AP)