Are you ready for disaster?

The recent California wildfires reminded me of a few years ago when an RV friend was volunteering in a national forest in Prescott ago when there was a forest fire in the area. The fire was moving her way so she was loading up a few things in her truck and had her two cats inside the cab. She was about to hitch up when fire personnel told her she had to evacuate - now. The flames were in sight, moving towards her. She did not have time to hitch up plus one cat escaped. The cat was terrified and wouldn't come. She had to leave it.

She was fortunate that the wind shifted and her 5th wheel was saved. However, she never did find her cat. It was a tramatic experience.

RVers are fortunate in that their house is on wheels. Often they can move their rigs out of harm's way, whether it be fires, floods or hurricanes. The time to move, however, is before you see the flames, water rising around the wheels of your RV or the winds reach gale force. If you do have to wait until the last minute, have your pets in carriers. Also, have important papers near the door of your RV ready to grab. Just like a regular homeowner, photos of your possessions and scans of important papers on a memory stick or CD could help you file a claim if need be. Keep that in a safe deposit box or give a copy ot a relative.

Plan ahead for disaster. People grab some crazy things if they only have a few minutes. The mother of my sister's friend, when evacuated from her home near Lake Hodges, took evening gowns because she had never worn them! My writing partner, Alice Zyetz, who was evacuated from the Escapee park in Aguanga (by Temecula), took her medicines with her but not her prescriptions. She only remembered her valuable guitar because she'd had it out from the day before and then tripped over it.

If you are working or volunteering somewhere, make sure you are aware of your escape route if fire or floods should threaten. Have your RV hooked up, if you can. In case you might have to take just your tow vehicle or toad, have things ready beforehand. Don't wait until the last minute if you have any inkling you could be in danger.

The fires in California were like a raging inferno. Often the firefighters could do nothing but watch as the hot winds blew clouds of embers forward, scorching everything in its path. I drove along the perimeter of the Harris fire southeast of San Diego yesterday. Acres were blackened and the fire went right to the edge of many communities. Fortunately, in this particular area, I did not see any places where houses were burned. Other communities were not so lucky. RVers have an advantage - if they use it. Jaimie

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.