Low humidity -- at a level not seen in many years -- coupled with particularly strong winds, could be the reasons behind the California Wildfire. The fire burned down entire neighborhoods in a short span of time in northern california. It seemed to come out of nowhere, leaving hundreds of homes and businesses destroyed in its wake. The fires that started raging on Sunday Night haven’t died out since.

The possible reasons behind the tragedy

Low single digit humidity levels might have dried out the vegetation completely. Dried shrubbery and grass should have kept the fire going.

Northeastern winds called the Diablo winds or the Santa Ana winds created low pressure around the Great Basin area. This low-pressure region caused particularly fierce winds to flow at great speed toward the dry areas. The fierce winds blew those small flames out of proportion. Fires that would have otherwise been contained in the local area jumped lines and spread further until they gutted a large expanse.

Many dead and hundred others missing

According to official statistics reported by Fox News, around 17 people have been killed, and hundreds injured. 3,200 people have been forced to move to shelters. Winds that generally blow toward the ocean change their direction during early October and November and that’s precisely what fueled the fire in this case.

California and surrounding regions have a long history of wildfires with October being the most difficult time of the year, according to a report from the Washington Post. In October 1991, wildfires in the Berkeley hills took the lives of more than 25 people and destroyed almost 3,000 homes and businesses. The fires have resulted in 115,000 acres of land being burned in Northern California.

Napa Valley, famous for its wine saw large-scale damage of crops.

Most likely man-made

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) is of the opinion that it’s too early to comment on exactly what caused the fire. Barry Biermann, deputy incident commander with CAL said, "The winds were extremely erratic.” “During those conditions of high winds, it doesn't take much to start a fire." What’s disconcerting is that the fire was most likely man-made.

There was no lightning in that area during the period specified so lightning couldn’t have been the ignition factor. The State administration should order a probe into the incident and announce conclusive reasons on what caused this tragedy.