[Dave W]

No, not at all. The West has always been plagued by wild fires. I remember one in Oakland/Berkeley 20+ years ago. I think over 500 homes were consumed - not certain how many total structures and over 20 killed - many burned in their cars trying to escape. It was on the front page for days.

To predict wildfires in California is no more difficult than predicting the sun will rise.

The reason? the long dry summers, low humidity and high winds. Those three things are something California has in abundance every year, which is why that state always have fires every year. I'm not certain why this is news to you. California fires have been on the front page of my newspaper practically every year since I have been born, which was 58 years ago.

[trisham]

That’s what sets the stage. Arson provides the spark.