California is ranked as the US state most prone to wildfire, with over two million households at extreme risk at any time. The state has seen some of the most devastating fires in American history. This risk is highest in the states Central and Southern regions, where the brush that surrounds the Los Angeles countryside contains tough, leathery leaves and volatile natural oils that are highly flammable.

Combine this with a Mediterranean climate, dry landscape, drought-resistant vegetation, as well as the hot and strong Santa Ana winds blowing from the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada desert, and you have the perfect recipe for disaster.

Wildfires can spark from a variety of sources—from lightning to power lines—but these accidental causes are only responsible for a very low percentage of fires. The large majority are generated by people. Some result from unattended campfires, erratic burning of debris, or negligently discarded cigarettes. However, many more turn out to be deliberate acts of arson…