I am no expert. I am a regular person with an experience to share. I offer my personal opinion about a concept; Shelter-In-Place, sharing with interested folks how and why we made the choice to stay and fight for our home. Did we take a risk? You bet we did. But we had prepared as best as possible (see CFA preparation handbook) and felt comfortable with the risk.
Anyone deciding to stay and fight a fire should realize they will likely be facing terrifying flames and searing heat. Each situation, each person, each fire, each home is different. PREPARATION is just as, if not more important than heroic defiance. Fires are deadly. If you cannot envision yourself surrounded by 40 foot flames, trying to see and breathe in thick, choking smoke, or running around like a maniac pulling hoses, tossing burning objects away from your home, and being calm during all of that and more, you have no business even considering it.
If you have not prepared fully, if you are not willing and able to take responsibility for your own actions, decisions, and their potentially fatal results, just get some good insurance, keep your valuables in a readily transportable form during summer, and go stay with relatives or friends on high alert days.
Every home-site, everyone's preparations, skills, and abilities, and every fire are different. Even your own abilities can change unexpectedly, from one instant to the next. A twisted ankle, choking smoke–anything can happen. If you choose to use any of the ideas presented here, remember; Fires can kill you and others. Fires can injure you and others. Fires can destroy your home, no matter what you do. Once you understand that... you've taken the first step.