We had someone do that to a bunch of yards on our street last Fall. Our neighbor across the street lost almost their entire garden and nearly saw flames reach their house. This is before the rains had arrived yet when everything was still bone dry.
The bottom line is you asked why Putin might prefer Trump to win and I gave you an answer: Many Trumpers sympathize with Putin, a fellow member of the authoritarian far right, and want to abandon Ukraine to his rule. Even Trump's chosen running mate feels this way!
Rick left because of a gambling scandal. Sark made UW respectable again and left to USC. Defraud is the worst of the bunch. People think he met with Alabama officials leading up to the title game. He's a grifter at best.