3,700 Residents Return to Malibu as Weather Conditions Stabilize, Aiding Firefighting Efforts Against Blaze

MALIBU, Calif.—On Thursday, over 3,700 residents were permitted to return to their homes in Malibu after southern California experienced calmer winds and increased humidity, which aided firefighters in battling a wildfire that had previously caused thousands, including college students and celebrities, to evacuate earlier in the week.

However, an additional 1,600 residents remained under evacuation orders. The picturesque city of Malibu, known for its rugged canyons, breathtaking bluffs, and celebrity homes by the sea, saw approximately 20,000 residents in the city and surrounding areas impacted by mandatory evacuation orders and alerts since the fire ignited late Monday.

Firefighters were still engaged in fighting the blaze known as the Franklin Fire, which was only 30 percent contained as of Thursday evening. The fire was intensified by strong winds that swept across the region at the start of the week. Yet, conditions improved significantly on Wednesday, prompting meteorologists to lift all red flag warnings—signaling high fire danger—and allowing firefighting crews to make notable progress against the flames.

According to meteorologist Mike Wofford from the National Weather Service in Los Angeles, winds were expected to keep diminishing.

“We might even experience a slight sea breeze that will enhance humidity in the fire zone,” Wofford stated on Thursday. “Overall, conditions are improving.”

The origins of the fire remain unknown. Officials reported that four homes had been destroyed, with at least six others suffering damage; however, crews had surveyed only about 25 percent of the impacted area, according to Deputy Chief Eleni Pappas of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

“This is a tragedy that extends beyond our individual homes,” Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart remarked, noting that local restaurants have lost perishable food due to power outages, and many who commute to Malibu for work are currently unemployed.

The sheriff’s department lifted evacuation mandates on Thursday, allowing the 3,700 residents to come back home.

The flames came alarmingly close to Pepperdine University, where students had to shelter in place on campus Monday and again on Tuesday.

According to the university, initial assessments indicated minimal to no damage to campus structures. Consequently, final exams were postponed or canceled, while faculty worked out the best approach for concluding the semester, which wraps up this week at Pepperdine.

Lonnie Vidaurri’s four-bedroom house in the Malibu Knolls area was among those impacted. He relocated to a hotel in Santa Monica with his wife and two young daughters.

“The area around our home is pretty scorched,” Vidaurri commented, expressing concern that their pet bunnies may not have survived. He noted, “My daughters cried, understandably, but it could have been worse.”

Mimi Teller, a spokesperson for the Red Cross at a nearby shelter in Pacific Palisades, shared that many evacuees arrived with just the clothes they were wearing and seemed to be “definitely in shock.”

“Most people didn’t even have a backpack; it was all about ‘Get out immediately,’” Teller recounted.

Cher, one of the many celebrities residing in Malibu, evacuated when ordered and is currently staying at a hotel, her publicist, Liz Rosenberg, confirmed on Tuesday. Actress Jane Seymour also fled the city, stating on Instagram Tuesday, “The fires in our community are a stark reminder of how quickly life can change.”

Additionally, Dick Van Dyke shared on Facebook that he and his wife, Arlene Silver, evacuated as the fire approached. The actor later recounted on NBC’s “Today” that neighbors were instrumental in their escape.

“I was attempting to crawl to the car. I was completely exhausted and couldn’t get up,” Van Dyke, who turns 99 this Friday, explained. “Three neighbors came and carried me out, then went back to extinguish a small fire in the guesthouse and saved my life.”

The fire ignited shortly before 11 p.m. on Monday and rapidly advanced southward, jumping over the renowned Pacific Coast Highway and reaching the edge of the ocean. The fire was fueled by the notorious Santa Ana winds, which produced erratic gusts exceeding 40 mph. These winds are well-known for carrying dry air from the interior towards the coast, counteracting the moist ocean breezes.

In response, utilities proactively shut off power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses beginning Monday night to reduce the effects of the Santa Anas, which can damage electrical equipment and trigger wildfires. By Thursday morning, power was restored to all Southern California Edison customers, reported utility spokesperson Gabriela Ornelas.

The Woolsey Fire that devastated the region in 2018 resulted in three fatalities and the destruction of 1,600 homes, originating from Edison equipment. When asked if Edison equipment was implicated in the Franklin Fire, Ornelas referred inquiries regarding the cause to fire officials.