Firefighters are working diligently to control a wildfire in the coastal community of Malibu, California, where 6,300 residents have evacuated their homes as schools and businesses closed their doors.
Almost 2,000 firefighters were engaged in combating the Franklin Fire, which has burned over 4,000 acres since it ignited on Monday, destroying nine structures and causing damage to six additional buildings, according to officials. As of last night, it was reported to be 7% contained.
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The steep and rugged terrain to the northwest of Los Angeles has hindered firefighters’ access to much of the fire area, which is expected to take several more days to contain, as stated by Dusty Martin, assistant fire chief of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Vehicles destroyed in the Franklin Fire
Firefighters focused their efforts on a specific canyon where helicopters were deployed to drop water. Nearby, a group took a break, their faces covered in dust just before sunset.
Officials have lifted a red flag warning that was previously in effect to inform the public about the heightened risk of rapid fire spread.
The affluent town of Malibu is situated in the secluded hills above the Pacific Ocean, approximately 50km northwest of Los Angeles, and is home to many celebrities.
The wildfire has scorched 4,000 acres near Pepperdine University
Among those evacuated was actor Dick Van Dyke, who will celebrate his 99th birthday tomorrow. He shared on social media that he and his wife evacuated safely, along with their pets, though one pet named Bobo remains missing.
Captain Jennifer Seetoo of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported that around 22,000 people have been affected by the fire.
No fatalities or injuries have been reported, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to officials.
A large portion of Malibu is currently without power, complicating communication efforts with residents still in the area.
Wildfires are a recurring challenge in California, often intensified during this time of year by powerful Santa Ana winds that carry dry desert air from the interior.
Scientists warn that climate change, driven by the unrestrained burning of fossil fuels, is disrupting weather patterns, leading to prolonged dry periods and an increased risk of destructive fires.
Moreover, decades of land management policies advocating a zero-tolerance approach to wildfires have left many rural areas overburdened with fuel, resulting in fires that tend to be hotter, faster, and more perilous when they do occur.
