The death toll rose to 24 on Sunday after devastating wildfires ravaged the US state of California.

The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office said they are investigating at least two dozen deaths related to two massive wildfires that have raged in Southern California since last Tuesday.

Officials said 16 deaths were attributed to the Eaton fire and eight were linked to the Palisades fire. Those numbers are expected to rise, as the medical examiner said they cannot confirm the human remains until they are processed at their facility.

More than 150,000 residents have been evacuated, with another 87,000 in evacuation warning zones. More than 12,000 homes and businesses have been burned to the ground, with the fires so far burning over 60 square miles (155 square kilometers).

"Initial aerial assessments estimate 5,316 structures in the Palisades Fire and over 7,000 structures destroyed in the Eaton Fire," the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) said in a statement.

"These initial numbers make the Eaton and Palisades fires the second and fourth most destructive fires in California history, respectively," he added.

Firefighters continue to battle the devastating blaze, which has been fueled by persistently strong winds in the region with wind gusts of 30 to 70 miles (48 to 112 kilometers) per hour. Because of these dangerous conditions, a fire warning remains in effect until Wednesday and evacuation orders have been extended until at least Thursday. A dusk-to-dawn curfew also remains in place as police crack down on robberies in the area.

"We're not out of the woods yet. We have some very significant fire weather ahead of us," Nancy Ward, director of the California Office of Emergency Services, said at a news conference.

"We need to provide the people and first responders in Southern California with the support they need," Ward continued.

"We have pre-positioned additional engines, fire crews, helicopters, bulldozers, water tenders (tankers) throughout southern California, in Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County and San Diego County, all ready for to aid and abet the additional fire threat."

The manpower being used to fight the fires is staggering: 14,000 emergency personnel, 1,300 fire engines and 84 aircraft have been deployed from nine states, including California, as well as crews from Canada and Mexico. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he is sending 1000 more members of the California National Guard to help fight the fires.

President Joe Biden has already approved a major disaster declaration for the state to provide financial assistance for cleanup and reconstruction, with early estimates putting the cost of damage from the fires at least $10 billion.

Humanitarian groups and non-profit organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank have already begun relief efforts for displaced residents, providing food, water, shelter and living supplies to those affected by the deadly flames. /