I have no idea what causes these fires but I never really thought that it has to do with the wind blowing through the wrong way. Just like you, I think there is still more mystery behind it. Hope you are somewhere safe?
The sky and light turn this colorful once it is about to start? Wow! Your photos really are fascinating. Its at times like this that there are so many pictures to take at different locations, yet so little time. I guess it was tough making some of these decisions bit you photos did turn out to be really stunning. It's something I haven't seen before....
It's like the magical sunset shining all over the place and defeating darkness, it's just so sad though that what follows this beautiful view might be disastrous.
I think the tree branches grow to deal with wind from the west, they just didn't know to prepare for this, like a knee bending the wrong way. Then the branches hit the power lines. Although this one was apparently started by someone trying to light a campfire.
I've never seen this happen before, it was a smoke cloud that rode into our little valley on these crazy westbound winds.
Thanks for reading!