I can back him on this as a firefighter. While maybe not a "major" fire. It is quite a nuisance and a burden on the volunteers who have to sacrifice their day just to babysit it and keep dumping water on it.
Personally, would prefer a miserable 50 degree day with an inch plus of rain spread out over a 24-48 hr period than last night. I just had my yard arreated and overseeded which now probably all washed out after last night.