The cause of the Skirball Fire has been determined by fire officials Tuesday, after the blaze scorched more than 400 acres.

Los Angeles Fire Department investigators said the Skirball Fire near the 405 in Bel Air was caused by an “illegal cooking fire,” according to a report released by the Arson-Counter-Terrorism Section.

“At the time of the LAFD’s arrival there were no individuals present at the area of origin and there have been no arrests made in connection to this fire,” reads the report. “LAFD investigators have determined the fire was caused by an illegal cooking fire at an encampment in a brush area.”

The fire danger in the Los Angeles area reached record levels last week, as a new flag warning was raised for the first time, said officials.

“Bone dry conditions and excessive brush are the main conditions to fuel these fires,” said Rob Crohn, meteorologist with the Southern California Geographic Area Coordination Center. “Purple flag warnings were announced due to the excessive winds and other conditions.”

For the first time, a purple flag warning was raised by the Coordination Center, an advisement even higher than a red flag warning, caused by the Santa Ana winds.

“The purple flag is considered ‘extreme’ danger,” said Crohn. “This is the first time this has been used in the two years the rating system has been in existence.”

Last year’s record rainfall encouraged brush growth throughout the state of California, but the limited amount of rain in 2017 caused the brush to dry up, said David Gomberg, meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

“The Santa Ana winds have died down since the ‘extreme’ conditions last week,” said Gomberg. “As we go into Friday they are expected to pick up again.”

Approximately 90 percent of wildfires nationwide are human-caused, according to the National Park Service.

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