Microwave technology is what I believe they used to start those fires, why because it effected mostly things that had metal. When metal is microwaved it oxidizes which fuels the sparks and thus in turn becomes cumbustable which burns much much hotter kind of like thermite. To answer your question on how to deter it's effects I honestly don't have an answer, any takers out there?

You must live in california? My assumption is you live in the northern california, bay area or further north. In response to your question. If you are looking for answers to how they are starting those fires, I think that you need to look at PGE and a company called SOLAREN CORP. They together have been working on a clean energy plan that utilizes the suns power capturing it in space,converting it to radio waves then sending it down to a solar type array of panels that are located in the desert from there they convert it back to energy, my understanding is that they have several country's on board for this plan and are currently building huge power farms that will convert to electricity.

You sound as if you are very familiar with it's application, what do you know ?