It is simply shocking how houses built of combustible materials: vinyl siding and gutter, wood shingles can surrounded by dried vegetation and other wooden parts can burn down in 60 seconds. The embers were blown by 20-30 kph artificial blowers. Just imagine what havoc can happen if it were 100 kph winds (the Sta Ana wind).
It could have been avoided if construction were made of of more fireproof materials as chb, concrete panesl and GI roofing. This would not have happened in the Philippines. Our construction here is more fireproof. US, California, one of the most modern in the world certainly would have more advanced building codes. Its building codeswould have positioned itself vs frequent forest fires/wildfires.