5 dead in Northern California wildfire

A massive wildfire in Northern California claimed the lives of three more people, bringing the death toll from the blaze to five, authorities said. 

Remains of three people — believed to be those of a woman and her two great-grandchildren — were discovered on Saturday, according to multiple media reports.

Authorities are still searching for 17 people who remain unaccounted for, according to Reuters.

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As of Sunday morning, the blaze had consumed more than 89,000 acres and was roughly 5 percent contained, Cal Fire officials said. 

According to Reuters, more than 38,000 people remained under evacuation orders on Sunday. The fire has destroyed more than 500 buildings in and around Redding, California.

Firefighters on Sunday continue to battle the blaze — which began on Monday — but dry, hot weather conditions in the area offered little help in efforts to contain the fire. 

President Trump issued an emergency declaration on Saturday, allowing federal agencies to coordinate in their response to the fire and authorizing the use of federal funds for relief efforts.