Geebus, I almost had to evacuate an hour ago
Fire again in Thousand Oaks, Ca. The hill next to me caught fire. This would have been the second time I had to make a run for it in the last 2 and 1/2 years.
Believe me, it wasn’t like this when I was growing up in the 50’s and 60’s. We got lots of rain between November and March, and there were many years between fires. We had only six inches of rain this year. All it takes is one hot day and a little wind. I always wonder if some idiot out there starts these.
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As to your final comment, I think there are some firebugs, for sure. One clue is when there is a trail of fires along a freeway route.
But as far as I can tell, the ones closest to me over time have not been intentional — though the one that started at Westmont College in Santa Barbara was monumentally stupid, as some students decided a bonfire would be fun one night. I always wondered if all of them were from out of state or something, to act in such an utterly clueless fashion.
Until almost 4 years ago we lived in Goleta. We moved to Ventura just in time for the Thomas Fire, and had to evacuate for 2 weeks.
It was not always this dry — you used to be able to count on about 30 years between major fires in a given region, as it would take about that long for the fuel to build back up. Not any more. 
PBS said last year, I think (but can't fathom so many idiots), that humans cause 95% of wildfires in CA.
