California Wildfire: Thousands, Including Dick Van Dyke, Evacuated from Blaze in Malibu | US News
Thousands of residents have been evacuated as a rapidly spreading wildfire engulfs sections of California’s affluent city, Malibu.
Among those forced to evacuate were renowned actor Dick Van Dyke, who is celebrating his 99th birthday on Friday, along with his wife Arlene. Singer Cher has also reportedly left the area.
Van Dyke, known for his roles in Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, shared on Facebook: “Arlene and I have evacuated safely with our pets, except for Bobo, who escaped as we were leaving.”
“We are hoping he will be safe, and that our community in Serra Retreat will endure these dreadful fires.”
Dick van Dyke. Pic: Reuters
Over 700 firefighters are currently battling the brush fire, named the Franklin Fire by local authorities, which has consumed nearly 2,700 acres of land.
Additionally, 300 more firefighters are scheduled to join the efforts to contain the fire, which officials indicate is still not under control.
The blaze, which at one point posed a threat to the iconic Malibu Pier, has destroyed a few homes so far but has not resulted in any injuries or fatalities, according to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone during a news briefing on Tuesday.
Pic: AP
Pic: AP
Currently, thousands of residents in Southern California are under evacuation orders. More than 8,100 homes and other structures are at risk, including over 2,000 residences where occupants have been ordered to evacuate.
Approximately 6,000 individuals have received warnings to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice due to the fire, which is being fueled by gusts up to 40 mph from the infamous Santa Ana winds, often referred to as “devil winds.”
The fire ignited in the Malibu Canyon area on Monday evening.
Smoke billows as the Franklin Fire burns in Malibu. Pic: Reuters
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The fire then advanced toward the Pacific Ocean, where lavish homes belonging to celebrities and millionaires dot the renowned Malibu coastline.
At one point, the flames threatened the historic Malibu Pier, but officials stated that the structure was safeguarded.
California is prone to wildfires, with experts from the US Environmental Protection Agency predicting that their intensity and frequency are likely to rise due to climate change.
Malibu experienced a catastrophic wildfire in 2018, known as The Woolsey Fire, which resulted in three fatalities and the destruction of 1,600 homes.
