"BTW, it’s SOCAL and despite the rain we’ve had lately, this is still the edge of the desert and starting a fire in suburbia is bad form. So no, I don’t EDC my fire kit, the chaparral is great tinder, but not in a good way."

Truer words were never spoken (or typed!)....!!! I spend a fair amount of time on the Channel Islands (Cal) and although I still carry my lighting materials, I would generally not ignite a fire - it's just too windy. Some sort of canister stove is the only rational item, but even then one must be careful...