Two California teenagers were arrested Thursday night for allegedly starting two brush fires, adding to the wildfire epidemic that is wreaking havoc through Southern California. 

The two teens were arrested for starting fires in San Diego's Escondido area, according to USA Today. 

Isaiah Silva, 19, of Escondido and a 17-year-old juvenile were arrested on suspicion of arson after a witness tried to catch the teens in the act. 

According to Lt. Neal Griffin, Escondido police said they could not yet connect the two teens to the larger bush fires that have burned thousands of acres and destroyed multiple residential homes and commercial businesses. 

The fires have also forced evacuations and shut down schools and amusement parks. 

A critical fire weather warning, which is called a "red flag" warning, has been issued throughout Southern California. A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are presently occurring or will occur soon. Red flag warnings are in effect in San Diego, Oxnard and Hanford. 

The fires have decimated more than 15 square miles and have burned down at least eight homes, including an 18-unit apartment complex. The fires are estimated to have caused $20 million in damage. 

There has been at least one casualty due to the fires; an unidentified burned body was found Thursday in a camp in Carlsbad.

A firefighter from the Camp Pendleton Fire Department was also treated for heat exhaustion Thursday while trying to quell a fire on a Marine base. 

The fires began due to drought-striken dry brush and trees mixing with high temperatures and Santa Ana winds. The combination of dryness, heat and wind created tinderbox-like fire conditions. 

Tourists in San Diego are unnerved by the dangerous blazes. Sam Pfeifle of Maine said the fires are "a little bit terrifying."

"It's also unsettling to show up at your in-laws only to find that their bags are packed in anticipation of being evacuated," he said.

San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said it could take months to find out the cause of the fires, but the possibility of arson will be investigated further. Nine fires have broken out in total since Tuesday.