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.

In Sylmar, a suburban neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley, the Hurst Fire had grown to 855 acres by Thursday morning, forcing emergency evacuations in some areas. The fire was 10% contained as of Thursday morning, Cal Fire said. The Lidia Fire near Acton in Los Angeles County, sparked Wednesday afternoon.

President-elect Donald Trump has accused California Gov. Gavin Newsom of prioritizing environmental policies over public safety, and claimed that FEMA lacked the funds to respond to the crisis.

People can support those affected by wildfires by donating to the verified fundraisers via the California Wildfire Relief Hub.

Among thousands of reports of property damage and loss in the blazing California wildfires, two historic sites suffered significant losses.

The devastating wildfires in California have claimed two significant pieces of California’s cultural heritage, State Parks officials have confirmed.

Devastating wildfires continue to burn across Southern California, killing at least five and forcing hundreds of thousands out of their homes.

The wildfires sweeping through Pacific Palisades, California, have devastated the Will Rogers Historic Stable. Built in the 1920s by Hollywood cowboy Will Rogers, the stable was an iconic part of Will Rogers State Historic Park.

The parks are home to iconic historical homes, including Will Rogers’ ranch house and the Topanga Ranch Motel, once owned by William Randolph Hearst.