What caused fires in california?

Powerful winds, greater devastation. California is susceptible to fires year-round, but fires that occur in fall can be especially dangerous. ... Known as Santa Ana winds in Southern California and Diablo winds in the north, these powerful warm winds cause fires to spread faster and quicker. read more

The Southern California wildfires spreading through Ventura and Los Angeles counties are among the devastating wildfires residential communities have seen in the decades since developers have expanded further and further onto land prone to natural disaster. But in several ways California’s fires are unusual. read more

It's unclear what caused fires to form suddenly around the same time in one night, blazing through California's wine country while many residents were caught unaware as they headed to bed. But authorities point to a perfect storm of factors that have fanned the wildfires. read more

A plane drops fire retardant over a hot spot on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, in San Marcos, Calif. Wednesday, May 14, 2014, in San Marcos, Calif. Flames engulfed suburban homes and shot up along canyon ridges in one of the worst of several blazes that broke out Wednesday in Southern California during a second day of a sweltering heat wave, taxing fire crews who fear the scattered fires mark only the beginning of a long wildfire season. read more