“The smoke tries choking the pacific sun, we rocket down the road like we’re shot out of guns, and if the house burns down tonight, I got everything I need with you by my side. And let the rest burn.” from If House Burns Down Tonight by Switchfoot

Southern California is home to various creators, from writers, artists, performers, and film makers. We thrive on dramatic tones, discordant notes, despondent second acts. We love the rugged extremes of the Southern California landscape. But the privilege of mild winters and variety of terrain comes with a cost. Wildfires are one of them.

The chance of a wildfire reaching my home in the desert is slim, but never zero. Often the riverbed on the edge of my city catches fire and ash falls into my swimming pool. But my daughter’s family was evacuated from the mountains in August. My son was evacuated during the current fires. Neither lost their home. But they could have.

The answer to the question I know you are thinking is it’s worth it. It’s worth it to live in an awe-inspiring land where dreams can come true. It forces you to take stock of what is important in your life, and it’s never a building. If the house burns down tonight, I want my family and pets by my side. I want my friends to be there, too. Everything else can be replaced. Or maybe not. But at least I know what is truly valuable.

And let the rest burn.