Franklin fireplace in Malibu explodes over greater than 2,851 acres as Dick Van Dyke and Cher are evacuated from their properties: Live
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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.
Southern California officials caution residents about ongoing wildfire threat
Officials warned the more than 18,000 residents in areas threatened by the Franklin Fire that the danger wasn’t over.
“We remain under and immediate threat because of the red flag conditions,” Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone cautioned at a Tuesday morning news briefing.
There are approximately 8,100 structures in that area. Of those, more than 2,000 were under mandatory evacuation warnings.
“Please follow all evacuation orders. That is the most important thing,” Malibu Mayor Marianne Riggins instructed.
She said that Malibu’s City Hall was in an evacuation zone.
In the early morning, winds were gusting to 40 miles per hour. The temperature was heading up from 62 degrees to a high of 75.
California night sky glows orange as Franklin Fire prompts evacuation orders
California night sky glows orange as Franklin Fire prompts evacuation orders
The Franklin Fire burned close to Pepperdine University near Malibu, California, on Tuesday (10 December) prompting evacuation orders from law enforcement due to “an immediate threat to life.” Pepperdine University issued a shelter-in-place warning in the Tyler Campus Center or Payson Library as the blaze reached 1,800 acres on Tuesday. Footage recorded by Steve Futterman showed the night sky near the university glowing orange as the fire burned in the early hours. At least 2.8 square miles have been burned by the fire, LA County Fire Department officials estimated.
California Governor Gavin Newsom says he secured federal assistance for the fire
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass says city sent more than 15 fire engines to help fight the Franklin Fire
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Tuesday that the city is working to assist Malibu’s firefighting efforts.
The Los Angeles Fire Department provided more than 15 fire engines to aid the response, she wrote on social media. Bass assured residents that the department also remains ready to deploy to any incidents in Los Angeles.
“Our Emergency Management Department and Recreation and Parks Department worked to establish shelter with the Red Cross to assist those who evacuated,” she wrote.
“We encourage all residents of the area to continue following directions from public safety officials and to stay informed as this fire continues.”
The Franklin Fire in photos: The 2,200-acre blaze threatens Malibu
California cams capture Franklin Fire’s smoke filling skies
Malibu resident says windows shook from firefighting helicopters
A Malibu resident said that she woke up Tuesday as the windows of her home shook from responding firefighting helicopters.
“I opened my window and the back of my property…was all engulfed,” Linda, who did not share her last name, told KTLA. “I ran to the house, got everybody up and had them get in the car and get out of here.”
She said she stayed to try to save her horses. Two were spooked and ran away, but she was able to save one.
“At the very end, we probably only had 45 minutes to get out of there,” she said.
She slept in a car with strangers and eventually found the other two horses unharmed, the station reported.
Source: independent.co.uk
