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Franklin Fire in Malibu: 20,000 Evacuated, Dick Van Dyke & Cher Among Them

2024-12-11

Just one day after its ignition, the Franklin Fire in Malibu, California, has rapidly expanded to nearly 4,000 acres, compelling 20,000 residents to leave their homes. Firefighters are tirelessly working to bring the blaze under control. Updates from CalFire and the Los Angeles County Fire Department on Wednesday morning revealed that the fire is still only 7% contained. Although weather conditions that fueled the massive flames are expected to improve as the week progresses, with the strongest Santa Ana winds now behind us, critical fire conditions persist. The fire erupted shortly before 11 p.m. on Monday and quickly moved south, crossing the famous Pacific Coast Highway and reaching all the way to the ocean. Along the beach, large homes stand, and the rugged inland canyons are notoriously prone to fires. At one point, the flames endangered the historic Malibu Pier, but fortunately, the structure was safeguarded.

Impact on Power Supply

By Monday night, power to about 40,000 customers was shut off, including 11,000 in LA County. Southern California Edison was working to minimize the impacts of the Santa Ana winds, whose strong gusts can damage electrical equipment and trigger wildfires. Gabriela Ornelas, an Edison spokesperson, stated that service power was cut off to most Malibu customers around 6 or 7 p.m. on Monday. This disruption affected a significant number of people and their daily lives.

Devastation in Malibu

Malibu, a community of approximately 10,000 people on the western edge of Los Angeles, is renowned for its breathtaking seaside bluffs and Zuma Beach, which has been featured in Hollywood films. The fire caused extensive damage in this area. Flames burned near celebrities' seaside mansions, horse farms, and Pepperdine University. Around 3,000 students were forced to take shelter on campus. Many evacuated their dorms and made their way to the library through smoke and ash as the flames raged in the nearby canyon. This scene of chaos and destruction was a stark reminder of the power of wildfires.

Celebrity Evacuations

Van Dyke, one of the many celebrities with homes in Malibu, and his wife, Arlene Silver, evacuated as the fire approached. The actor is turning 99 on Friday. "Arlene and I have safely evacuated with our animals, except for Bobo, who escaped as we were leaving," said Van Dyke, referring to one of their cats. "We're praying for his well-being and that our community in Serra Retreat will survive these terrible fires." Cher also evacuated from her Malibu home when ordered and is currently staying at a hotel, as confirmed by her publicist Liz Rosenberg late Tuesday.

Investigation and Emergency Operations

It is not yet known how the blaze started. Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony C. Marrone stated that a preliminary aerial assessment estimates that seven structures were destroyed and eight structures were damaged. The Malibu City Hall was in the fire's path, so officials had to relocate to nearby Calabasas to establish a base for emergency operations. This shows the scale and complexity of the situation as they strive to manage and respond to the fire.