Everyone staying must be staying willingly. They are otherwise a risk factor. It is neither smart nor fair to force the stress and risk of a wildfire on anyone. Start with identifying those most capable of dealing with an emergency situation and then continue in descending order of ability to act reasonably and independently. Include household employees if they are likely to be present a significant portion of the time. List everyone's qualifications for accepting responsibility in an emergency. This can be anything relevant, from experience in previous emergencies in Topanga to relevant training such as CPR or first aid.

Assuming that each individual would be present at the time of a wildfire, and based on their experience and abilities, what would each person be expected to do? This should be reasonably specific, e.g., who is going to keep track of where people are or who is going to make sure that all windows and doors are closed but not locked? Giving people specific jobs and responsibilities gives them a focus and the confidence of knowing that there is a larger scheme of which they are a part.

If you intend to leave at the first warning this may not seem essential, but you may have a repairman working around back or a gardener weeding down the hill. They would no doubt appreciate the courtesy of a warning. Don't laugh--in the '93 fire two Malibu ladies were congratulating themselves on having escaped the fire by running for the beach and paddling off in a kayak. Turns out they had left their non-English-speaking maids behind. Nice people can do not-nice things if the stress level is high enough.

We can never know when a wildfire will occur-they have occurred at all hours and on any day of the week. Is there always an able-bodied adult at home? No able-bodied adult is "always" at home so the question is, for what proportion of the time are adults away? How often is the house being looked after by a neighbor while you are away on vacation or business?

That is why it's important to talk through plans with all members of the family, regardless of who may remain to deal with a fire. It is important that everyone have a good idea of how each member of the family is likely to react to news of a wildfire. If one parent spends most of the business day in a Los Angles office, what should he or she do on hearing the news? Should someone try to reach school to retrieve the children? And what are the school contingency plans anyway?

Does everyone who can use a telephone know all the relevant phone numbers or know where to find them? They should be posted in a prominent place near a phone.

Children complicate the issue to the extent that nannies or caregivers and schools become involved. Each of them needs to be part of the plan. Parents should ensure that their nannies and caregivers know the plan and have assignments. Their English, or your language skills, should be honed on relevant subjects.

How old is your child? Family members too young to be entrusted with jobs related to protecting the home should not be there. Where they should be depends on your situation and what arrangements you may have been able to make outside the Canyon.

Children will want to stay with their parents. They may become fearful if separated and that may lead to post-fire issues. There is no clear or universal advice to be given here, only this--you will not have time to sort out the issues after a wildfire has been reported.

If anything is clear, it is that even the vigorous elderly probably ought to evacuate early. However vigorous they may seem in normal times, their reserves of energy and strength may be quickly exhausted. Typically they have respiratory systems that would be easily compromised. Once injured their evacuation becomes all the more difficult.

This is not a matter of age alone. You must decide on the basis of the unique character of your family members. Arrangements need to be made well in advance and need to be mutually agreed upon.