(Image source from: USAToday)

The death toll in the fatal wildfires in recent California history ascended to 59 on Wednesday and 130 people still missing, as authorities released a list.

Umpteen of those unaccounted for are from the Paradise's Butte County town, in northern California, which was virtually erased from the map by the alleged "Camp Fire" blaze that erupted earlier this week.

Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea told journalists on Wednesday evening that 461 searches and rescue force and 22 cadaver dogs were active in the endeavor to find those missing and DNA testing was being accelerated to identify the victims.

Related content: California Wildfire: Death Toll Rises to 42, Bodies Found in Cars, Homes

"Beginning Thursday, anyone who believes a family member perished can provide a DNA sample" to the sheriff's office, Honea said.

Virtually every home in Paradise, located 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of the state capital Sacramento, was destroyed by the fast-moving fire fueled by high winds.

At least 59 deaths have been reported up to now from the annihilating wildfires and body recovery teams were going door-to-door with stiff dogs in Paradise on Wednesday.

"We are in the midst of a catastrophe," Governor Jerry Brown told a press conference.

"The fire was unprecedented, overwhelming, so a lot of people got caught." Brock Long, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said Paradise was looking at a "total rebuild" with many homes, businesses and infrastructure destroyed.

"This is going to be a very long and frustrating event for the citizens of Paradise," Long said. "We're going to have to find a new normal."

"You're not going to be able to rebuild Paradise the way it was."

An AFP reporter in Paradise on Wednesday saw crews removing trees, repairing fences along roads and towing away cars.

Authorities said livestock owners were being allowed into restricted areas for short periods to provide food for the animals but it was ill-defined when residents would be allowed back in.

While the cause of the "Camp Fire" is still under investigation, a lawsuit has been filed against the local power company, PG&E, by fire victims claiming negligence by the utility.

According to the complaint, the fire began on November 8 when a high voltage transmission line failed, igniting a vegetation fire.

The "Camp Fire" has ravaged 54,632 hectares of land and is 35 percent contained, according to Cal Fire.

It has destroyed some 7,600 homes and 260 commercial properties. Battling the blaze is more than 5,600 fire personnel, some from as far away as Washington state and Texas.

The "Woolsey Fire" has razed 39,505 hectares and has been 47 percent contained.

CAL FIRE said more than 3,500 fire personnel were battling the "Woolsey Fire," which has destroyed the Malibu homes of several celebrities including Miley Cyrus, Neil Young, Robin Thicke, Shannen Doherty, and Gerard Butler.

By Sowmya