It's a dry, windy afternoon. You smell smoke. There's an orange haze over the ridge, and your neighbor is loading his truck.

Nobody has told you to leave. Not yet.

When a wildfire comes, the people who get out easiest are the ones who were ready before anybody told them to go.

Get the car ready. Fill it up, back it into the driveway facing out, and close the windows. Put the keys where you can grab them without looking.

Get the pets in their carriers. Make sure everybody in the house knows you may be leaving soon.

If you feel unsafe, don't wait for the order. Leaving early is the safest way to go.

Fire departments teach something called the six P's. It's easy to remember when your head is spinning.

People and pets. Everybody, and every animal.

Papers. IDs, insurance policies and other important documents.

Prescriptions. Medicine, glasses, hearing aids and anything else you need every day.

Pictures. The things you can't replace.

Personal computer and phone. And the chargers.

Plastic. Credit cards, plus some cash.

Take the routes officials give you, not shortcuts. Headlights on, windows up, and set the air to recirculate so you're not pulling smoke into the car.

Stay indoors with the windows and doors shut. If you have to go out, wear an N95 mask. Cloth masks don't stop smoke. Smoke is especially hard on older folks and anyone with heart or lung trouble.

They wait until they see flames.

Wind can push a fire faster than you can pack. Once everybody tries to leave at once, the roads jam up. And whatever you do, don't go back for things once you're out.

Two things. Thirty minutes.

First, pack a go-bag for each person. A change of clothes, a week of medicine, copies of your important papers, a phone charger and some water. Keep it by the door or in the car.

Second, write the six P's on a card. Tape it inside a kitchen cupboard door, where you'll see it in a hurry.

Got a question, or a lesson from your own life? Hit reply. I read every one.

See you next time.

— Cole