The fuel, while not all native vegetation, is mostly evolved to burn. But it is "supposed to" burn every 100 years or so from lightning or other natural cause. Humans have quickened the pace at which CA coastal sage scrub catches on fire(like, 12-25 years or something).

I think the residents and city also bear some responsibility because the risk of fire in coastal southern CA is widely known. People just don't like to follow CalFire guidelines or pay the costs of protecting their property. But if there was poor design or lack of maintenance in the electrical grid that rises to the level of negligence then the utility should pay.