A blazing wildfire engulfing parts of Malibu, with smoke billowing into the sky, highlighting the scale of the disaster.
Firefighters in Southern California are facing fierce conditions as they battle a wind-driven wildfire that has forced around 20,000 people, including famous personalities like Cher and Dick Van Dyke, to evacuate their homes. The fire, known as the Franklin Fire, erupted late on Monday and rapidly spread across more than 2,800 acres in less than 24 hours.
The situation has been tense, with residents anxiously waiting to find out whether their homes would be spared. As of Tuesday, forecasters reported that the most intense winds had subsided, which should offer some relief to firefighters. The Santa Ana winds, known for their dry, hot gusts, had driven the fire forward, but the worst of them had passed. However, winds were expected to continue through Wednesday, especially in the mountains, meaning critical fire conditions were still in place.
The fire has primarily impacted Malibu, a coastal city known for its stunning scenery and celebrity residents. Malibu, home to around 10,000 people, has seen flames near its iconic beaches and luxury properties. Even Pepperdine University was affected, with about 3,000 students forced to shelter in place on campus. Some students evacuated their dorms through smoke and ash to seek refuge in the library as flames neared the canyon nearby.
On Tuesday, firefighters worked tirelessly to control the Franklin fire in Malibu, California. AP Photo
While the cause of the fire remains unknown, preliminary reports from the Los Angeles County Fire Department indicate that at least seven structures have been destroyed, with eight others damaged. Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart expressed the trauma the city has experienced, saying, "This has been a traumatic 20 hours for the city of Malibu." As the fire continued to move through the area, the city had to relocate its emergency operations to nearby Calabasas.
For many residents of Malibu, including celebrities like Dick Van Dyke and his wife, Arlene Silver, evacuation was necessary. Van Dyke, who is about to turn 99, shared that he and his wife had evacuated with their pets, although one of their cats, Bobo, escaped as they were leaving. "We’re praying he’ll be OK and that our community in Serra Retreat will survive these terrible fires," Van Dyke said.
Cher also evacuated when ordered, and her publicist confirmed that she is staying in a hotel for the time being. The fire, which started shortly before 11 p.m. on Monday, quickly spread south, jumping over the Pacific Coast Highway and threatening large homes along the beach. At one point, it even came close to the historic Malibu Pier, but the structure was spared.
The fire’s impact on power infrastructure was also significant, with Southern California Edison cutting power to around 40,000 customers, including 11,000 in LA County. These outages were meant to reduce the risk of further fire damage caused by damaged electrical equipment. Power had been shut off to most of Malibu by Monday evening.
Firefighters keep a close watch on the Franklin fire as it moves toward Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. AP Photo
This fire is a painful reminder of the Woolsey Fire in 2018, which caused severe destruction in Malibu, claiming three lives and destroying 1,600 homes. That fire had been sparked by equipment from Southern California Edison, leading to further concerns about power-related fire risks.
Despite Malibu’s reputation for celebrity residents, Kasey Earnest, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu, highlighted the struggles of the lower- and middle-class families in the area. "I refer to those residents as the heart of Malibu," Earnest said. "They’re just normal families — nobody’s landing a helicopter on their property."
