The devastation in terms of property damage is staggering–over a billion dollars and counting–but there is one statistic that is markedly better than the last time California was up against numerous wildfires. The San Diego County medical examiner lists six deaths connected to the blazes: one person killed directly by the fires, and five others who died during the evacuation who were not directly killed by the fires.

In 2003, 22 people died as California battled wildfires–all but a handful of the victims succumbing to the flames.

The lower casualty toll is being attributed to a new way of doing things: an automated reverse telephone calling system used to order the evacuation of more than half a million people–10 times the number evacuated four years ago.

“They are more determined that people leave,” said Steve Levstik, who got his call 15 minutes before flames swept through his Rancho Bernardo neighborhood