Foreword

This booklet grew out of Topanga Coalition for Emergency Preparedness'
(T-CEP's) realization that our community needs information on the basis of which to make the important decision of whether to stay or evacuate during a wildfire. T-CEP applied for and won a grant from the California Community Foundation to help gather that information.

As a resident of Topanga, and vice president of T-CEP in the author's case, the issues involved in deciding whether and when to evacuate in the event of a major fire are extremely important; potentially even life-threatening. We wanted a study of those issues to speak with one clear voice. Nonetheless, from the first it has been assumed that this study would be reviewed periodically to take advantage of new technologies and information that it would be republished, in whole or in part, annually. Such frequent reissuance is necessary to keep pace with steady population growth and consequent changes in our problems and issues. In the past 15 years the population of Topanga may have more than doubled. In the same time the roads have not improved--and may even have deteriorated in some places--while the brush has continued to grow.

Consider this, then, to be merely an elaborate first draft. As it becomes obvious where the writer has omitted critical information or included peripheral issues, let those with better knowledge contribute to an improved draft. And so may it be for many years. May there always be people in Topanga who will want to improve and expand on this important subject. The file of material for the first revision is open. Send yours to: