After the Malibu fires of a few years ago, my wife and I sat down and made a prioritized list of what to grab in case we were threatened by a fire. About a year later, we got our chance to try it out, when flames licked at the outskirts of Ventura and four engine companies spent the night in the lot across from our house. We had run through the list (you get the family photos, I'll grab Aunt Minnie's vase) and were ready to leave, with our sleeping three year old ready to plunk in the car. Then it rained! (It hardly ever rains in October in SoCal). It was a really great exercise. Thoughtful decisions before the crisis is the key.