Residents of the southern California city of Malibu have been forced to flee their homes after another late-year wildfire fanned by strong winds and warm weather tore across the area.
The Franklin Fire started shortly before 11 p.m. Monday, and has since spread over at least 2,851 acres, forcing more than 6,000 people to evacuate their homes. Actors Dick Van Dyke, 98, and Mira Sorvino were among those residents.
Singer Cher was also evacuated to a hotel with her pets, her publicist Liz Rosenberg told The New York Times.
The cause of the brush fire remains under investigation.
More than 800 personnel were working to fight the fire, according to Governor Gavin Newsom.
There have been no reports of serious injuries or deaths, and officials said Tuesday that a “minimal” number of homes had been destroyed. It was not immediately clear how many had burned, but thousands of structures were in the evacuation zone.
The fire, which started around Pepperdine University, was moving south. Final examinations at the school were postponed and all Malibu schools were closed until further notice. The university lifted its shelter in place order.
Red flag warning warnings were in effect through Wednesday.
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.
Malibu city staff post from emergency operations center in Calabasas
Helicopters drop water on the 2,700-acre Franklin Fire in dramatic images
City of Malibu says a Verizon support team is positioned in Zuma Beach
The evacuation center for the Franklin Fire is moving
The evacuation center for the Franklin fire is moving, KABC-TV reported Tuesday afternoon.
Officials from the American Red Cross reportedly told the station that the center will be at the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Professional Development & Learning Center building.
The original location was the Palisade Recreation Center.
Source: independent.co.uk