Whenever I watched the news on disasters like fires and hurricane I'd be like "Those poor people" then a few seconds later I'd go back to whatever I was doing.   My thoughts were "This type of stuff only happens to other people, not me."
 
On Sunday afternoon the warning texts went off that we had to evacuate immediately due to the monster Caldor fire coming down the mountain at us.   Scrambling like a lunatic grabbing irreplaceables like old photo albums and then expensive stuff like our PCs and devices.   We had 20 minutes and with police yelling at us to go there wasn't time to take anything else. 
 
So we end up in a hotel room unable to sleep day and night watching news reports, wondering whether our house will be there when we return.   
 
I guess this has taught me empathy and compassion? I'll never forget what this feeling is, and never again will I take the suffering of others for granted.  I guess that's how we all grow as people
 
 

yeah, that's a bad feeling...*not knowing*

I figured out a while ago if I come across some one who seems grumpy or being short with others
we do not know what is going on in their lives. 
People have health issues, maybe going through a breakup or some other problem affecting them.
We have no way of knowing what problems they may have. So I try to cut people a break.
Mainly because it can happen to us.
 
I sure hope  your home is safe and comes out of this unscathed.
But if not, it is material thing and you and your family are alive. 
That's the most important thing.
 
I had a house fire years ago and thankfully no one got killed, the cats ran into the basement and were safe.
Lost many old photos and other things that can never be replaced. My computer and TV melted down.
Mostly damaged the upstairs with some water damage downstairs.
Lesson learned, buy a fire safe and put anything you have that is important in it.
Photos, insurance papers, car titles and home deed and so on.
 
Good luck and I hope your neighborhood is spared.
 

yaggaz
 
Whenever I watched the news on disasters like fires and hurricane I'd be like "Those poor people" then a few seconds later I'd go back to whatever I was doing.   My thoughts were "This type of stuff only happens to other people, not me."
 
On Sunday afternoon the warning texts went off that we had to evacuate immediately due to the monster Caldor fire coming down the mountain at us.   Scrambling like a lunatic grabbing irreplaceables like old photo albums and then expensive stuff like our PCs and devices.   We had 20 minutes and with police yelling at us to go there wasn't time to take anything else. 
 
So we end up in a hotel room unable to sleep day and night watching news reports, wondering whether our house will be there when we return.   
 
I guess this has taught me empathy and compassion? I'll never forget what this feeling is, and never again will I take the suffering of others for granted.  I guess that's how we all grow as people
 
 

My family will keep you and your family in our thoughts. We will wish you all the best and hope that your house and belongings survive. 

bill1024
I figured out a while ago if I come across some one who seems grumpy or being short with others
we do not know what is going on in their lives. 
People have health issues, maybe going through a breakup or some other problem affecting them.
We have no way of knowing what problems they may have. So I try to cut people a break.
Mainly because it can happen to us.
 
I sure hope  your home is safe and comes out of this unscathed.
But if not, it is material thing and you and your family are alive. 
That's the most important thing.
 
I had a house fire years ago and thankfully no one got killed, the cats ran into the basement and were safe.
Lost many old photos and other things that can never be replaced. My computer and TV melted down.
Mostly damaged the upstairs with some water damage downstairs.
Lesson learned, buy a fire safe and put anything you have that is important in it.
Photos, insurance papers, car titles and home deed and so on.
 
Good luck and I hope your neighborhood is spared.
 

+1  Great advice on the fire safe. That way important stuff is gathered, and can be grabbed in case. 

yaggaz
 
Thank you for all your thoughts. Much appreciated.
 
I watched a video last night of hot shots on the edge of part of our neighborhood and the wilderness.  It was amazing to watch what they do and how quick they do it.  I still don't follow the science how they can make a fire go a certain direction but it's pretty cool.   It inspired me to rent the Only the Brave movie, helps you appreciate it what these guys do and how much endurance they must have.

Keep us updated on your status if you can. 

It wouldn’t hurt to report the owners of the hotel for price gouging. Fuel stations are private properties and it is illegal for them to price gouge, so I doubt it is legal for the hotel to do what they have done.

Finally back home now.   Area is an ash covered wasteland. Looking at big burn scars all over what was once pine tree covered hills.  But never looked upon my little home with such happiness as I did today.
 
How did they pull it off with zero houses burned?  Something like 700 homes had already burned along the highway before it reached the Lake.    Thank you everyone for your thoughts.  PS I did report the hotel to the appropriate office but no response yet.  I left them a delightful "review" and that's good enough for me.     It really was a miracle what happened, check out this video that analyses how it was saved:
 

Dang. Stay safe. 

 
A lot of fires can be prevented by clearing brush around homes. Also forest management will help.

Glad to hear you are able to return home. Amazing how the area was saved. Is Christmas Valley your home? Thanks for the update. Stay safe. 

As I grow older, I finally understand the meaning of this sentence.
For people who have not experienced it personally, the stories of others will never make themselves grow.
hope everyone peace.