Let me first say how much the fires suck! And I feel for anyone who loses a home or much worse, a loved one...
Second, does the State of California still not allow residents to cut the deadwood in the Forests?
If the the deadwood is not cut, it does become a tinderbox.
Here in Ct. many residents buy into the "Is a mortal sin to cut a tree" mentality, so the last two hurricanes we had devastated our power lines due to the fact no one wants to cut a tree. Here most trees here hang way over the power lines for absolutely years. Some residents went without power here for 5 to 6 weeks. Same thing in Long Island, they had people up to 2 months without power with the same problem. The power company's don't want to foot the bill, and State Government is Bankrupt and Boarder-line Communist here when it comes to the environment.
My point is, there will always be wild fires in California, but years ago I don't remember them being this intense and wide spread.
Is there a connection to overgrowth of deadwood waiting to burn during any kind of drought?
And if there were people who actually wanted to burn it (Yes, years ago many people Burned Wood!) do they have access to cut it and use it?
Or is it way more homes in Diverse locations?