A fast-growing wildfire has set the affluent, star-studded Southern California community of Malibu ablaze, covering thousands of acres, burning up homes, closing roads and sending residents fleeing, including Hollywood legend Dick Van Dyke.
The Franklin Fire continued to explode in size overnight, and covers 3,983 acres as of Wednesday morning with 7% containment, according to CalFire. Late Tuesday night, officials said 2,667 had burned. It was fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity, a dangerous combination prompting red flag warnings in the region through Wednesday evening.
The fire was discovered Monday, just before 11 p.m. local time. The cause is under investigation.
Los Angeles County is one of the areas under a red flag warning, according to the National Weather Service. Areas like Filmore and Santa Clarita are in “very extreme fire danger.”
“Be careful with anything that can start a fire,” The NWS Los Angeles wrote in a social media post. “Residents in high fire risk areas, keep aware of your surroundings.”
Eye in the sky:Aerial video shows Franklin Fire threatening Malibu neighborhoods
Stretch of iconic Pacific Coast Highway among road closures
A stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway, known for stunning ocean views along a 21-mile strip of coastline in Malibu, is among many Malibu roads impacted by closures as the Franklin Fire burns.
A roughly 5-mile stretch between Carbon Canyon and Corral Canyon Road was only open to only people actively evacuating on Wednesday, according to Cal-Fire.
Multiple other roads around the fire were either totally closed or open only to residents fleeing the fire.
Forecast says more Santa Ana winds up to 50 mph in Southern California
Wednesday will be another dangerous day for fire weather in Southern California, forecasters warned: “A strong Santa Ana event will continue to bring widespread critical to extremely critical fire weather conditions to many areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Wednesday,” the National Weather Service said in an online forecast.
“Peak gusts of 40 to 50 mph will affect most wind-prone coastal and valley areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Wednesday morning,” the weather service said. “With the threat of these strong wind gusts in these windier corridors, there will be an increased risk for downed tree limbs and powerlines, along with power outages.”
There is some good news on the horizon: Winds and other fire weather conditions will begin to improve significantly by later in the day.
“Conditions are likely to improve by this afternoon or evening,” the weather service said. “All Red Flag Warnings are set to expire by 6 pm today.”
Franklin Fire Map
In about 12 hours, the fire grew from 2,862 acres to 3,983 acres, according to CalFire.
Firefighters have 7% of the fire contained as of Wednesday morning.
Over 1,500 firefighters on the scene
Over 1,500 firefighters are responding to the fire, according to the City of Malibu. Over a dozen federal, state and local agencies are also responding.
“Their efforts are critical to protecting our community, and we thank them for their tireless bravery and dedication,” the city said in a statement.
Celebrities’ homes threatened, including Mark Hamill, Dick Van Dyke
Neighborhoods threatened by the fire are under mandatory evacuation.
Van Dyke, who will turn 99 on Friday, said in a Facebook post that he safely evacuated his home. “Star Wars” icon Mark Hamill, 73, said he is in lockdown and sheltering in place.
“I’m not allowed to leave the house, which fits in perfectly with my elderly-recluse lifestyle,” Hamill joked.
Cher and Barbra Streisand also live in the area, reported the New York Times. Cher’s publicist told the publication that she and her pets evacuated to a hotel on Monday.
Homes in the Malibu area have been damaged by wildfires over the years, and celebrities have been among those impacted. In 2018, the massive Woolsey Fire made headlines for burning homes belonging to Miley Cyrus, Neil Young, and Gerard Butler.
Structures destroyed
Preliminary reports say that seven structures have been destroyed, and eight were damaged, according to the City of Malibu.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by this devastating event,” it stated.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said during a news briefing on Tuesday that the number of homes impacted so far was minimized thanks to the work of firefighters.
No cell reception
People in the area of the fire may struggle to get cell reception, according to the city.
It asks that residents and those impacted tune into local radio stations like 99.1 FM KBUU to get updates on he fire.
Mandatory evacuations
The following areas are under mandatory evacuation, according to the city:
- East of Latigo Canyon
- West of Topanga Beach Driveway
- South of Baller Motorway, including the Big Rock and Las Flores Communities
Federal assistance grant
On Tuesday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced California secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA.
The grant will “help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the fire burning in Malibu.”
“Fire officials and first responders are working relentlessly to protect lives and property from the Franklin Fire,” Newsom said in a statement. “California is grateful for this federal support, which bolsters these efforts. I urge all residents in affected areas to stay alert and follow evacuation orders.”
This story will be updated as more information is released.
Contributing: Terry Collins, Thao Nguyen, Cheri Carlson, Ernesto Centeno Araujo; USA TODAY
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected]
