Finally got a call back today from my friends . They told me their house was saved, but their neighbors on all sides were not as lucky. They described the street as a "warzone". Their house was ok, but a lot of their property was burned (trees). They reason the fire miraclously stopped at the trees was because there was a firetruck parked in their driveway for most of yesterday. It apparently was "keeping watch" on a house across the street (a celebrities) and we think that is partly the reason the were saved.
So yes, social and public status WILL put you to the top of the list of who to save during a fire.
On the way back, the national guard was checking driver's licences. If you address was not in RSF, you were refused entry.

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