A helicopter drops water on the Franklin Fire in Malibu, California, on December 11, 2024. (AP Photo)
A wildfire that started earlier this week in Malibu, California, has forced thousands to evacuate, including celebrities and students. As of Thursday, over 3,700 residents were allowed to return to their homes after calmer winds and rising humidity helped firefighters control the blaze. However, around 1,600 people in Malibu remained under evacuation orders, with the fire still threatening many areas.
The wildfire, named the Franklin Fire, has burned approximately 6.3 square miles and was only 20% contained as of Thursday. The flames were driven by powerful winds earlier in the week, but the weather conditions improved significantly on Wednesday. Meteorologists reported that the winds had eased, and the fire was now easier to manage. A sea breeze was also expected to increase humidity in the affected areas, further helping firefighters. "Everything’s getting better," said Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
The cause of the fire remains unclear, and it has caused significant damage. Four homes have been completely destroyed, and at least six others were damaged. Fire officials had only surveyed about 25% of the affected area. "This is a tragedy that goes beyond our personal residences," said Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart, noting the additional losses, such as restaurants losing food due to power outages and workers being unable to reach their jobs in Malibu.
Among the evacuated areas was Pepperdine University, where students were forced to shelter in place. The flames came dangerously close to the campus, but initial assessments showed little to no damage to university structures. As a result of the fire, Pepperdine canceled or postponed final exams, with faculty members determining how to finish the semester.
One resident, Lonnie Vidaurri, had to evacuate his home in the Malibu Knolls neighborhood with his family. "It’s pretty torched all around," he said, expressing concern for the family’s pet bunnies, which he believes did not survive the fire. Despite the devastation, he remained grateful that his family made it out safely.
Mimi Teller, a Red Cross spokesperson working at a nearby shelter, shared that many evacuees arrived in a state of shock. "Nobody even had a backpack, it was, ‘Get out now,’" she said, describing the urgency of the evacuations.
Several celebrities also had to evacuate their Malibu homes. Cher, Jane Seymour, and Dick Van Dyke were among the well-known figures who fled the area. Van Dyke, who is turning 99, shared that neighbors had to help him and his wife evacuate as the fire rapidly approached. "I was trying to crawl to the car. I couldn’t get up," he recalled. "Three neighbors came and carried me out."
The fire began late Monday evening and quickly spread, crossing over the Pacific Coast Highway and reaching the ocean. Fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, which can reach speeds over 40 mph, the fire spread rapidly. In response to the danger, utility companies shut off power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses. By Thursday morning, electricity had been restored to all affected areas.
This fire serves as a painful reminder of the risks posed by these powerful seasonal winds, which have caused devastating wildfires in the past, such as the 2018 Woolsey Fire. While the cause of the Franklin Fire is still under investigation, authorities are working to contain it and protect the people and homes in its path.
