This is threatening a populated area. I could not live somewhere where there was that kind of fire threat, but live in the midwest and don't have an extreme fear of tornadoes.
But I think comparing 'thunderstorms' or even tornadoes with the fires that can wipe out thousands of homes if the winds or conditions are right (or wrong) is not a good comparison. Some of the brushfires in the west are probably not mentioned, just as a thunderstorm that knocks a tree into a house in St. Louis is not covered on national news. But if a tornado tore through an area, it would be.
