At least 16 people have been killed in the wildfires that have raged in Los Angeles since last Tuesday, destroying tens of thousands of homes and other properties and forcing people to evacuate.
The number of people who have perished was expected to climb, said California Governor Gavin Newsom.
"I've got search and rescue teams out. We've got cadaver dogs out and there's likely to be a lot more," he was reported by Reuters as telling NBC's "Meet the Press" program.
Firefighters were continuing to battle the worst blazes in California’s history before a forecast return of the powerful winds that fanned the flames.
Media reports indicated the fires had destroyed or damaged 12,000 structures, more than 100,000 people in Los Angeles County had been ordered to evacuate, another 87,000 had been warned they may have to join them.
While the winds that whipped up the fires had eased, they were expected to strengthen early this week, particularly on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT).
Among the worst hit areas were in the Palisades between Santa Monica and Malibu, and Eaton near Pasadena.
Last week, United States President-elect Donald Trump and other Republicans blamed Democrat policies for the blazes, with the incoming President criticising California Governor Gavin Newsom and President Joe Biden for their environmental policies.
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