At least 12 people are missing in Shasta, County, Calif., as the vicious Carr Fire has continued to grow.
Two children and their great-grandmother were among the five killed as of Sunday, according to multiple reports.
According to Cal Fire, the blaze is out of control.
The blaze has so far burned 193 square miles in the county, or nearly 90,000 acres, since erupting last Monday when a vehicle suffered mechanical failure.
More than 38,000 people remained under evacuation orders Sunday in and around the city of Redding, which is about 160 miles Sacramento.
The blaze has destroyed more than 500 buildings and damaged 135 more. More than 5,000 structures are threatened by the fire.
Despite an effort from 3,500 firefighting personnel, more than 300 engines, and 17 water-dropping helicopters, just 5 percent of the fire is contained as of Sunday.
[California asks White House for help fighting fires]
President Trump on Saturday declared the fire an emergency, authorizing federal funds for disaster relief efforts.
High temperatures, low humidity, dry conditions, and increased winds are all in the forecast, which Chris Harvey with the Cal Fire Incident Management Team told CNN could mean more “explosive” fire behavior.
At least two people died fighting the fire, and several others, including three from Marin County, have been hurt.
More than a dozen other fires are burning across California, putting pressure on state resources.
Meanwhile, the Cranston Fire near San Bernardino has burned more than 13,130 and is 29 percent contained, and the Ranch and River fires in Mendocino County have scorched more than 24,000 acres collectively, Cal Fire said.
The Ferguson Fire in Mariposa County has burned 53,646 acres and is 30 percent contained.
