Los Angeles forest fires?

The driest desert in the world is also close to the ocean but blocked by the altitude of the Andes.

For rain to fall the clouds have to reach 100% humidity, but in LA its always sunny, with only thin clouds. LA has a short rainy season and the chaparral of the mountains make the most of this. The result is lots of vegetation that is only green three months of the year, and ready to burn the rest. Many of these plants use waxy coverings to hold in the precious moisture, and make for hot fires.

There is a slight belt of moisture right at the beach, but the inland mountains are miles and miles away. These two large fires where twenty miles or more inland.

LA has a mediterranean climate. Proximity to the ocean doesn't mean it should be wet all year long when you consider geography, weather patterns, etc. I live in LA and our droughts are indeed that long. We're having serious water shortages. It rained for a few days in June but nothing to make up for the difference. I can't even remember the last heavy storm we had. There is a lot of dry vegetation, which is native to the landscape. The problem is that people light fires. That's why we have so many.

The cause is some jerk started them and then they all spread like wildfire.

-Literally!