Driving there is nearly impossible on a good day, so it's not surprising folks got in traffic jams.
A fire moving a mile a minute, will absolutely catch folks, especially those who have lost the instinct of self preservation. If you smell smoke out ahead of high wind blowing at you, why are you waiting for the gov to tell you a fire is coming?
The water director should be arrested and put on trial. His actions lead to a lot of deaths.
But, I'm not sure I'm buying the space lasers, and local cops keeping folks penned in theory.
I'm a lot more inclined to believe it's just the latest example of liberal incompetence leading to death and destruction. No different than LA, San Fran, Chicago, Baltimore, Maryland, Houston, etc, etc, etc. Anyone that's dealt with liberal government agencies knows they are much to stupid to collude together on grand conspiracy. Mist can barely make it to work wearing shoes