Gandalf, You will be fine. You just have to be thoughtful and not let your emotions override your instinct. I know our ravings sound paranoid. I think watching the people during Katrina was a real eye opener and I have seen government paralyzed during the fires, having sent most of the engines to Lake Arrowhead and farther north. Who did they think was going to fight the fires in San Diego? We were left completely unprotected. I have no faith in government. I respect the work the firefighters do and their bravery, but I have no respect for the huge bureaucracy that takes days to make simple tactical decisions. I think if you plan to take care of yourself and your family for about a week and stay inside and wait out the worst case scenario, be it a man made disaster or a natural, then you will probably be fine. Those who did not plan ahead and cannot survive on what they have in the house, could easily become victims.