Sheriff: One looting incident reported in Pfeiffer Fire.

For most people fleeing flames and smoke, there's barely time to gather their thoughts and some belongings. 

But at least one person found the wherewithal to sieze upon the frenzy to steal four rifles and a hangdun from a car. 

While preparing to evacuate and packing their car, the firearms were stolen, Pfeiffer Ridge residents reported to the sheriff's office.  

As to the fact that just one looting report has come in so far, Sheriff Scott Miller says, "That's actually pretty good."

There's been no suspect identified. 

The sheriff and deputies are on hand in Big Sur to monitor safety and any looting activity. They're not the lead agency on the investigation into the Pfeifer Fire's cause; that falls to the U.S. Forest Service. 

"It'll be their bailiwick, and as far as I know, they haven't asked for our help," Miller says.

Big Sur community members make no secret of their skepticism toward law enforcement, especially after sheriffs deputies and residents clashed in the 2008 Basin Complex Fire. 

But this time around, there's visible improvement on those relations. At a community meeting at 4pm at the Big Sur Ranger Station Wednesday, gratitude for law enforcement was plentiful.  

That's partly thanks to residents who stepped up since 2008, forming a neighborhood CERT team (Community Emergency Response Team), civilians who are trained according to FEMA protocols in disaster response and can be authorized to participate. In the Pfeiffer Fire, CERT volunteers helped resupply residents who opted to stay on their properties to defend them.