...
No. You cannot speed up to escape the flames. And, no, you cannot back up or turn around to escape them either. This is the ultimate truth of Southern California.
So, for some, this will read like wishful thinking.
Just now, though, California seems to be in much less trouble, fire-wise, than our neighbors — maybe because the whole state burned down last year — but this could change at any moment. Still, despite YubaNet's rather unimpressed assessment of our preparedness levels, there are a bunch of new fires being reported every day up here and they are leaping on them, each one, and getting them OUT before they can get away... even when people think there is no need.
always and any time....
