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.

The Los Angles Police Department said "a male was heard stating a suspect was 'attempting to light a fire'" near the Kenneth Fire.

The president-elect blamed California Governor Gavin Newsom for the massive fires that have forced tens of thousands to evacuate, saying the governor should have signed a declaration to pump more water through the state.

Los Angeles is reeling from the most destructive wildfires in its history, and firefighters are struggling to contain the devastating blaze.

As fires spread across Southern California, Trump urged Newsom to send in water from Northern California despite some experts saying water supply is not the problem.