The Question the Sorrento Valley Fire Made Me Ask:
What Would I Grab?

The Keri Edit

Like many of you, I found myself closely watching the recent Sorrento Valley fire.

At first, it felt like another brush fire. Living in Carmel Valley, we've all become somewhat accustomed to hearing about fires in nearby canyons and open spaces. It's Southern California, after all.

But as the day unfolded and I watched the evacuation warnings expand, it became clear this fire had the potential to be much more than that.

Torrey Hills.

Carmel Valley.

Del Mar Mesa.

Suddenly, neighborhoods that many of us call home were part of the conversation.

While our community was never in immediate danger, something about watching the evacuation maps creep closer made me stop and think.

I began looking around my house and asking myself a question I had never seriously considered before:

What would I actually take if I had to leave?

I turned to my 17-year-old son and said, "We're not in danger right now, but take a look around and think about what you would grab if we had to evacuate."

A few minutes later, he had gathered a handful of items that mattered most to him.

Meanwhile, I was standing in the middle of my house completely overwhelmed.

I looked around at decades of memories. Family photos. Keepsakes from loved ones. Important documents. The little things that tell the story of a life well lived.

The more I looked, the more paralyzed I became.

Then my son walked back into the room.

"Mom, what are you doing?" he asked.

I replied, "Honestly, I feel overwhelmed."

Without missing a beat, this 17-year-old looked at me and said:

"Just grab the passports and important papers first."

Simple.

Practical.

Smart.

And exactly what I needed to hear.

His comment snapped me back into reality.

The truth is, most of us assume we'll have plenty of time to think when an emergency happens. We imagine we'll calmly walk through the house making thoughtful decisions about what to take.

But the stories coming out of recent fires—including the devastating Palisades fires—remind us that emergencies don't always give us that luxury.

Chaos moves quickly.

Fear moves quickly.

And decisions that seem easy today can feel impossible when adrenaline takes over.

As much as we'd like to believe it could never happen to us, preparedness isn't about fear.

It's about protecting the people, memories, and essentials that matter most.

The Sorrento Valley fire was thankfully contained before it became something far worse. But rather than viewing it as a close call that's already behind us, I'm choosing to see it as a reminder.

A reminder to prepare before we need to.

A reminder to have a plan.

A reminder that sometimes the smartest advice comes from a 17-year-old.

So this week, I challenge you to take 30 minutes and ask yourself the same question:

What would I grab?

Gather your important documents. Create a plan with your family. Make a list of the irreplaceable items that matter most.

Because when it comes to emergencies, the best time to prepare is before you ever need to.

The 6 P's of Fire Preparedness

To help get you started, I've included a simple Fire Preparedness Checklist based on the 6 P's of evacuation planning.

Click Here for the 6 P's of Fire Preparedness

Stay safe, friends.

Warmly,

Keri Davis-Duffy
Realtor® | Willis Allen Real Estate
Del Mar, Carmel Valley & Coastal San Diego