The Los Angeles Fires – What I Learned This Week

Earlier this week, I was sitting in the middle of my quiet and smoke-free kitchen in West Hollywood. I was keenly aware of the raging fires that impacted the Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and the Altadena areas.

And then it happened. Fire broke out closer to me – in the nearby Hollywood Hills. My phone erupted – receiving a flurry of texts and calls as friends urged me to be vigilant and evacuate.  

EVACUATE

EVACUATE! That meant that I had to pack my car with things from my home – my life – my memories. 

What to pack? What is a necessity and what is a “want”?  I have boxes of scripts and albums of family memories.  Things that can’t ever be replaced.  

I have current projects that (luckily) are on my computer. 

I have souvenirs from wonderful travels.  

So, this begs the question.  If you only had a few minutes. Maybe 30 at best,  what would you pack first? Second?  Or leave behind. 

My first item would be Frankie the Tooth. I can replace “things,” but I can’t replace my beloved Frankie. 

Next, I guess my important documents, medications, family treasures, some clothing, and of course my computer. Luckily, I already started to put my important “stuff” in my “cloud”.

Thankfully, the brave and amazing First Responders stopped the Hollywood Hills fire from spreading towards my area. I was beyond relieved. I could stay home.

However, from this experience, I learned some very valuable lessons. Most of all, I learned to be prepared for “just in case” scenarios!

Realtor.com wrote a great list to help remember what to have ready for an evacuation:

The 6 P’s of Evacuation

1. People and Pets
2. Papers, phone numbers, and important documents – including your passport
3. Prescriptions, vitamins, and eyeglasses
4. Pictures and irreplaceable memorabilia
5. Personal computers, hard drives, disks, flash drives, etc.
6. Plastic (credit cards, ATM cards, cash)

Also to consider:

Computer and phone cords and battery packs

Video of the contents of your home

Pet documents – for example, shot records

Sharing your travel documents with friends and family

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 To my friends and colleagues who have suffered such heartbreaking losses, know that I am here for you. Take care of yourself. We love you. We are so appreciative of all the helpers, including the First Responders.

Love,

Ellen (and Frankie the Tooth)

>> Please scroll below for some valuable resources I would like to share with all of you.

Are you someone who needs help in the wake of the fire disaster? Below you will find information that has been distributed online. PLEASE, do your due diligence to make sure that the information is correct, as much is fluid about this situation.

INFORMATION:

Los Angeles Fire Department

ReadyLaCounty

@WATCHDUTYAPP