Rules of thumb: If you're near (ie: backyard up against, or across the street from) a fuel source (ravine, canyon, hillside, drainage area), and there is fire in the area (within a couple miles), go fill up your car now, and get on the phone to find a place to stay tonight. If you're a couple blocks away, make sure those with sensitivities to airborne pollutants are out of the area, put the family photos in a bag by the door, and understand that if you call 911 later on tonight, no one's going to be answering, but otherwise, you should be fine.
Reverse 911 systems are in effect for those with landlines with the local phone system, they'll call when you need to evacuate, but nothing replaces looking, seeing your situation, and judging for yourself.
IF you evacuate, make sure you have your identification, pills (IN PRESCRIPTION BOTTLES), insurance paperwork, EYEGLASSES (reading and normal vision), etc. Many hotel chains in the greater region are offering discounts for those who are evacuating, call your favorite and ask; if the person at the desk doesn't know, or seems to just want to say no, ask them to call their regional office for discount information. Comfort Suites really tends to offer their deepest discounts during emergencies to those in affected areas.
Travel to pick up someone in affected areas is most likely going to be denied /if/ you just show up. If you need to help evacuate a family member, make sure you're driving a late model COMPACT car, call the sheriff's office (or local PD), make your request firmly but politely, and most times, they'll say 'Have whomever call me on the radio to get you through.' Be prepared with the exact address of who you're picking up, have directions in hand, have identification in hand.
Yeah, and you sit in a traffic jam when everyone splits at the same time.
>>>Reverse 911 systems are in effect for those with landlines with the local phone system, they’ll call when you need to evacuate, but nothing replaces looking, seeing your situation, and judging for yourself.
There should be plenty to hijack or steal given the circumstances.