Franklin fire in Malibu explodes over 3,000 acres as Dick Van Dyke and Cher evacuated from their homes: Live
A red flag fire weather warning is in place in Malibu as 20,000 residents forced to flee
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Your support makes all the difference.A fast-moving wildfire has scorched over 3,000 acres in Malibu, forcing 20,000 residents to flee as flames advanced on homes, horse farms, and Pepperdine University.
The Franklin Fire, yet another late-year wildfire fanned by fierce Santa Ana winds, has left a trail of destruction as officials confirmed seven structures destroyed and eight damaged.
Evacuations have displaced thousands of residents, including celebrities such as Dick Van Dyke and Cher.
Malibu mayor Doug Stewart called it a “traumatic 20 hours” for the city, as emergency operations relocated to Calabasas after the city hall was threatened.
"It burns, it grows back, and we're resilient," Mr Stewart said.
More than 1,500 firefighters are battling the blaze with many roads closed and others under security patrols.
At Pepperdine University, 3,000 students sheltered in place as smoke and embers engulfed the campus. “Ash was everywhere, embers were everywhere,” said a student, Bethany Kronlund.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Meteorologists warned that even though the strongest winds have passed the danger remained on Wednesday, especially in the hilly areas.
Dick Van Dyke prays for escaped family cat as he evacuates amid Malibu wildfires
The actor Dick Van Dyke was among thousands forced to evacuate as the Franklin Fire ravaged Malibu, burning over 3,000 acres and leaving devastation in its wake.
The 98-year-old shared on Facebook that he and his wife, Arlene Silver, managed to leave their Serra Retreat home with most of their animals, but their beloved cat Bobo escaped during the chaos.
“We’re praying he’ll be ok and that our community in Serra Retreat will survive these terrible fires,” Van Dyke wrote, amid evacuations just days before his 99th birthday.
He later posted a video of Bobo, where the ginger cat is seen playing and scratching himself in a garden, adding, “Hoping Bobo is ok.”
The fast-moving wildfire, fuelled by strong Santa Ana winds, has placed much of Malibu under evacuation orders, displacing thousands of residents, including celebrities like Van Dyke and Cher.
Franklin fire grows to 3,000 acres
The Franklin Fire in Malibu has expanded overnight, scorching over 3,000 acres near Pepperdine University and forcing thousands to evacuate.
At a Tuesday news conference, officials confirmed that the fire has destroyed seven structures and damaged eight more, based on preliminary assessments. Firefighting and evacuation efforts are ongoing as crews work to contain the blaze.
In photos: Air tanker drops retardant as Franklin Fire burns in Malibu
Malibu wildfires mapped: Map shows how far the fire has spread
A real-time map provided by officials showed the perimeter and evacuation areas of the massive Franklin Fire.
Recap: Franklin fire tears through 2,800 acres in Malibu
The Franklin Fire in Malibu has scorched over 2,800 acres and destroyed at least seven structures as of Tuesday evening, Los Angeles county officials confirmed.
Aerial images show that seven structures were destroyed and eight others damaged, fire chief Anthony Marrone said, adding that a more accurate assessment will be conducted on Wednesday by damage inspection teams.
Over 1,500 firefighters are battling the blaze, while the Los Angeles county sheriff’s department is managing 32 operations, including evacuations, road closures, and security patrols in the area.
“Fire can be extremely unpredictable, and we highly encourage residents in the fire areas to be prepared, have a plan, and heed our evacuation warnings and orders,” said Cpt Jennifer Seetoo.
Around 20,000 residents are currently under evacuation orders or warnings due to the wildfire.
Malibu man recalls his family waking up to an ‘inferno’
A Malibu man is recalling the moment his family woke up to the swiftly-approaching flames of California’s Franklin Fire.
“My son’s got a little bit of shellshock, he’s definitely feeling a little anxious,” Nick Smyth, 43, told The Associated Press. Smyth lives on a farm in the Serra Retreat community with his wife and two children. “They woke up to an inferno outside their bedroom.”
His wife had packed getaway bags before they went to sleep on Monday and were awakened by a neighbor shouting a few hours later.
They evacuated the area and went to a friend’s house outside of Malibu. He believes their home is safe.
Franklin Fire reaches 2,851 acres: CAL FIRE
The Franklin Fire continues to grow.
As of 4:30pm Pacific time, the blaze had reached at least 2,851 acres, according to CAL FIRE.
Malibu city staff post from emergency operations center in Calabasas
Helicopters drop water on the 2,700-acre Franklin Fire in dramatic images
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