Franklin Fire in Malibu Burns 4,000 Acres, Forces Evacuation of 20,000 Including Dick Van Dyke and Cher

Dec 11, 2024, 06:07 PM

A wind-driven wildfire named the Franklin Fire is raging out of control in Malibu, California, forcing the evacuation of up to 20,000 residents, including celebrities such as 98-year-old actor Dick Van Dyke and his wife Arlene Silver, as well as singer Cher. The fire, which started at 11:54 p.m. on Monday, has grown to nearly 4,000 acres and destroyed at least seven structures while damaging nine others. Strong Santa Ana winds and dry conditions have hampered firefighting efforts, with containment reported at only 7%. Schools in Malibu have been closed, and Pepperdine University students were ordered to shelter in place. Air quality in Los Angeles has been affected, with a smoke advisory issued for downtown areas. Some residents, like Malibu's Alec Gellis, faced harrowing escapes; Gellis commented, "I thought I was going to have to drive through a ring of fire just to get out of here." Firefighters from multiple agencies are collaborating to combat the blaze as weather conditions are forecasted to improve in the coming days.