The recent bush fires in Southern California got me thinking about a question I always ask myself when I hear about such disasters. If God forbid, this was to happen to you, and you were required to evacuate with little notice, what would be the first thing that you would think of grabbing to take with you? Would it be family records, the check book, the painting on the wall, your stamp collection, the filling cabinet, your family photos, your favorite something or other? Personally, I think I’d go straight for the sentimental stuff, photos, keepsakes, and all the other priceless stuff that has little monetary value. I also keep a notebook, in a very safe and secret spot, with all the important stuff (account numbers, insurance policy numbers, personal identification details and numbers, and all the other stuff you need to actually prove you exist these days), and if I grab that and my wallet, I guess I’d have all that’s required to start all over again… What would you grab?

Here’s a Time photo essay titled “What They Saved From the Fire” by Jeffrey Lamont Brown of the evacuees at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego California, and what some of them decided to take when they had to leave their home.