When the air is warm and dry, transpiration and evaporation also suck water out of the plants and soil. That leaves dry vegetation that can provide fuel for flying embers to spread wildfires, as the Los Angeles area saw in early January.

Raging wildfires that continue to burn a path of destruction through Southern California claimed the Will Rogers ranch along with a number of other local landmarks in what is already the most damaging fire in Los Angeles history.

The Hurst Fire has set 505 acres ablaze near San Fernando, California in the Sylmar neighborhood, according to Cal Fire. It is 0% contained. The cause of the fire, which was discovered on Tuesday at around 10:30 p.

Massive wildfires roaring through the Los Angeles area left neighborhoods in ruins Wednesday, killing at least two people and threatening famous landmarks.