while the fires are devastating, So Cal is a very big place. Most of the fires have been in remote and rugged mountains and canyons (where people really shouldn't be building mansions anyway).
It is a natural part of the ecosystem for chaparral to burn every 7-10 years. the problem is that for 40 some years now, firefighters have been suppressing the natural cycle to protect these mansions. so when a fire does occur, there is so much fuel that you get these firestorms.
