The lesson is being learned

"'We know fire officials don't have the manpower to secure our properties,' Gafill said. 'There are a lot of people in this community not following evacuation orders. Based on what we saw during Katrina and other disasters, we know we can only rely on ourselves and our neighbors.'"

Residents of Big Sur, California, who have decided to take charge of their own destinies rather than leave their homes and businesses and be prevented from returning for who knows how long.