A large blaze swept through Malibu, destroying at least seven homes in one of California’s most sought-after locations, leading to the evacuation of thousands.
Luxury properties, some belonging to Hollywood stars, were threatened by the fire that erupted late on Monday, fueled by strong winds and extremely dry vegetation.
Firefighters struggled to gain ground in the steep canyons encircling the affluent enclave near Los Angeles, where fierce flames engulfed hillsides, filling the air with thick smoke.
“We were completely surrounded,” local resident Alec Gellis recounted to broadcaster KTLA.
“Within 45 minutes, it was racing down the hillside and an hour later, we were entirely encircled, with homes ablaze on one side and ridges burning on the other, surrounded by mountains.”
“It became quite frightening at one point.”
Around 20,000 residents are under evacuation orders
Police have mandated the evacuation of thousands, with many more advised to prepare to flee if conditions deteriorate.
“There are roughly 20,000 residents under evacuation orders and warnings,” stated Captain Jennifer Seeto of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
“Fire behavior can be highly unpredictable, and we urge those in affected areas to be ready. Have a plan and heed our evacuation orders and warnings.”
Properties in Malibu are at risk from the flames
Deputies went door-to-door encouraging residents to evacuate as the fire began to escalate on Monday night.
Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart characterized the fire as “traumatic,” but expressed confidence that the community would remain resilient.
“That’s the nature of Malibu. We face adversity, but we come back stronger and more resilient.”
Actor Dick Van Dyke, who will celebrate his 99th birthday on Friday, shared on Facebook that he and his wife had evacuated their Malibu residence.
“Arlene and I have safely evacuated with our pets, except for one cat that escaped as we were leaving. We’re hoping he’s safe and that our community will weather these devastating fires,” he posted.
The city, located just a short drive from Hollywood’s major studios, has been home to some of the industry’s biggest stars, including Lady Gaga, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Aniston, and Cher.
As of yesterday evening, the so-called Franklin Fire had spread to over 2,800 acres (1,150 hectares) and was still raging uncontrollably, fueled by strong seasonal winds prompting forecasters to issue a “red flag warning.”
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone reported that 1,500 firefighters were actively combating the flames, supported by aircraft dropping thousands of liters of water and fire retardant from the air.
The wildfire started on Monday night
Aerial assessments indicated an unverified number of homes damaged or destroyed, he informed reporters.
“The entire fire zone continues to be at risk,” he added.
Tens of thousands of residents across Southern California experienced power outages. Utility companies often shut off electricity in advance of high winds to reduce the fire risk from toppled power lines.
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state had obtained a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to aid in the response efforts.
“Fire officials and first responders are tirelessly working to safeguard lives and properties from the Franklin Fire,” Mr. Newsom stated.
Fire retardant materials are sprayed over burning vegetation
Wildfires are a recurring occurrence in California and other regions of the US West, often worsened by seasonal Santa Ana winds, which push dry desert air from the interior.
Climate change, attributed to human activity, is known to heighten both the frequency and intensity of wildfires, with shifting weather patterns leading to prolonged, hotter dry seasons that dehydrate vegetation.
Experts assert that decades of policies favoring a zero-tolerance stance toward wildfires have left many rural areas overstocked with flammable materials, resulting in faster, hotter, and more destructive blazes when fires do erupt.
