Well, I just had a near-bugout experience, a few hours ago. I was sitting at the computer when I smelled plastic burning. Did I leave the stove on? I checked and I hadn't. Could it be the lady in the apartment next to mine? I went out in the hall and the smell was stronger near her apartment, but less strong near the building entrance. I was debating whether to knock on her door when someone else came out into the hall from another apt. I asked if he smelled anything and he said there was a building fire down the street. I went outside and sure enough, there was a big blaze, about half a block away. Lots of cops and fire trucks were already there. It looked like they'd be able to contain the fire but the smoke was pretty bad. People standing on the sidewalk were wondering if an evac had been ordered, but as far as I know, none was.

I decided to not stay around despite no evac order, and even 4 blocks away I could still smell the smoke. I was hungry so I went into a restaurant and had a meal to pass the time. Other people in the restaurant were aware of the fire and I showed them some digicam shots I'd taken when I'd been near it. When I got back, the fire was out or under control, the smoke wasn't so bad any more, though there were still PD and FD around and the street was taped off to traffic. It probably helped that it was raining slightly.

Anyway, I think this situation could have been a "5 minute bugout" if the fire had been a bit closer, or a "zero minute bugout" if it was in my building. But not a "survival" bugout or an area disaster--at most a few blocks were affected. During the restaurant meal I kept worrying what if the fire did spread, maybe I should have taken a few valuables, etc. Survival gear was not needed at all--at worst I could have gone to a friend's house or checked into a hotel. But there's stuff in my apartment that I wouldn't have wanted to needlessly lose, like my laptop, passport, etc. In an urban environment like mine, a checklist of stuff like that might make more sense than a survival-type BOB.

The building with the fire was still standing when I got back, but I'm sure it's pretty trashed inside. I hope no one was hurt. I'll go back during the day and take another look. Xmas eve is sure a lousy time to have a fire and I feel sorry for whoever's apt. it was. I can't help wondering if they had an accident with candles or something like that.

Anyway, that's my "survival story" for tonight.