I used GMRS rather extensively during the Thomas Fire to provide evacuation information during the overnight power outage; and collect power, traffic, and fire status from residents and motorists. Cell service was unavailable that entire night, and with no power or cell phones, some residents dusted off their FRS radios and hopped on channel 1 looking for information. Directional antennas aided in determining rough locations of operators. Presently, I use GMRS to communicate with a small group of primarily FRS users and a local repeater. Few people monitor simplex channels, and those who do aren't GMRS licensees, so virtually all GMRS-to-GMRS operation is repeated.