A couple of years ago 64 houses, along with their outbuildings, burned south of town, about seven miles from here. The usual story of dry fuel, high temperatures, and high winds. Many places had "defensible space" and followed all of the recommended anti-wildfire steps, but such a fire can spread faster and hotter than what man proposes. And, of course, you have the usual fools who for whatever reason plant cedars as foliage to cover the basement line, think tumbleweeds are "cute" and leave them stack up, don't believe it can happen to them, etc. etc.

If you'd like to follow the fires, try here. Think of the damage to animals, including cattle and pets, as well as the damage to humans.