system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: California specifically seems to always be in a drought, but surrounding states don't seem to have the same issues with fires. Why is that?
gpt
The surrounding states do have bad fires. But they get less press coverage because they are usually in more rural areas with less population density than the LA foothills.

Look up Arizona Rodeo-Chedeski fire, Wallow Fire, Willow Fire, Cave Creek Complex fire, Warm fire. All devastating and huge (some absolutely enormous).  But little national press because it's just not as big of a news story when a few hundred thousand acres of national forest burns vs literal suburbs burning.

Edit: and can't forget the Yarnell Hill fire, many young men died tragically fighting that fire.