voluntary evacuation: what I packed
 

Big fire In Reno. Normally a fire 2-3 mi from our house is no concern. This time the 50-65 mph wind led us to pack up a few things and watch at a further distance. The fire crews saved over 4000 homes. Sadly, 25 families are now homeless.

Glad you are safe, hopefully, you aren't one of the 25.

To keep this on topic, did you pack your bike?

I couldn't get your attachments to open.

Fortunately we were one of the 4000.
On topic: photos should be visible.
The Duet- my wife-stoker loves the Softride beam suspension.
Behemoth- The only thing that stops me is my low wattage.
Pugsley- ultimate joyriding.
La Corsa- perfect fit and ride for me.

Only a fool would leave his Pugsley behind to burn.

We live just west of you. No danger this time, but we had to evacuate several years ago. I was struck by how many people packed up their televisions. At the time you could buy a new TV for about 200 bucks, but they'd lug those big suckers out to the car and fill up the whole back seat, leaving clothing, mementoes and other valuables and irreplaceables behind.
Personally, I rode my bike across the street and chined it to a pipe in the school gym.

Glad you and your place survived.

Evacuating gives one pause for thought. I left my place in the spring when a tornado outbreak, which had been forecast for a few days in advance, happened. My place is not very substantial, and I opted to evacuate to more substantial environs.

My though process was, "Worst case scenario, I will return to nothing. What do I need to make it for a few days? What is more or less irreplaceable?" Packed clothes for a few days, official papers, home laptop, Cannondale Synapse Carbon 5, VHF ham radio, and some other goodies I'd rather not do without. One can't take everything.

It's a sobering experience.

I'd want to take these:
car
My espresso machine, coffee, grinder, thermos, etc.
Home laptop and portable hard drive
phone/charger
bicycle, lights, helmet, spare tube, lube, shoes, shorts, favorite jerseys, jacket/coat/gloves, rack/bag, cable/locks
all my underwear that fits well / in good condition
favorite jeans, short and shoes
favorite pillow, sheets, sleeping bag (if they would be needed)
some modest jewelry with great sentimental value
swim bag w/ favorite fins, goggles and 1970's kickboard (irreplaceable)
pet cat
essential papers
probably a few photo albums
recipe collections
stuffed animal toy my dad gave me over 50 years ago
travel bag w/ toiletries, travel towel,

The more I look at bikes the happier I am with the one I have. It would be hugely expensive to replace it with a similar quality ride. Didn't realize at the time what a great deal I got.

I don't see any clothes or supplies, just the bare essentials, well done.

If I had to evacuate, the baby, the wife, the cats, photos of my parents and grandparents, the negative binder, the wife's scrapbooks, and the computer box (only because of the photos on it). These items can't be easily replaced, so they are critical to keep. If I have time then I would add 2 changes of clothes for everyone and the sleeping bags. I need to do the winter emergency kit for the car this week which is a bucket of cat litter, a shovel, a couple of new candles and a few matches. The candles and matches go in the top of the bucket of cat litter. If your car gets stuck, in the winter, you can use the candles for heat while waiting for help.

I have three cats. I'd take two and leave the one that pisses behind. The fish and lizards would have to stay. The pillow would have to come along too along with the digital camera with media. I don't have any personal attachments to any of my other belongings, so whatever utilitarian items (clothing, shoes, etc) I come across would be the rest. Throw the bike rack and bike on the back and drop off all the library books and done!

Stuff can be replaced. Being alive and safe cannot. I'm glad it was just a fire drill for you.

Glad to hear you came through the fire without loss. Hrm, what would I do if faced with having to evacuate?

I'd be evacuating on my bike, since it's my transportation. I'd take my backpacking equipment (tent, stove, sleeping bag, water purification, etc.) since it's useful for survival, along with some food, toiletries, and clothing. Pet rabbit in her carrier, fastened to the rack with a cargo net. The external hard drive that holds the backups from my computer, and my nook with its charger. Everything would have to fit into two panniers and a backpack, so personal stuff would have to be small, but I can't think of much I couldn't leave behind -- maybe my grandfather's mala (something that looks much like a rosary and is used by Buddhists) and a few photos. And maybe the lease for my apartment, since I can envision being required to prove I lived there.

Sorry, but I just had to schedule a colonoscopy for early January. So you know what popped into my mind when I read "voluntary evacuation"...

Sorry....