Residents of the southern California city of Malibu have been forced to flee their homes after another late-year wildfire fanned by strong winds and warm weather tore across the area.
The Franklin Fire started shortly before 11 p.m. on Monday, and has since spread over more than 2,700 acres, forcing more than 6,000 people to evacuate their homes. Actors Dick Van Dyke, 98, and Mira Sorvino were among those residents.
Singer Cher was also evacuated to a hotel with her pets, her publicist Liz Rosenberg told The New York Times.
The cause of the brush fire remains under investigation.
More than 800 personnel were working to fight the fire, according to Governor Gavin Newsom.
There have been no reports of serious injuries or deaths, and officials said Tuesday that a “minimal” number of homes had been destroyed. It was not immediately clear how many had burned, but thousands of structures were in the evacuation zone.
The fire, which started around Pepperdine University, was moving south. Final examinations at the school were postponed and all Malibu schools were closed until further notice. The university lifted its shelter in place order.
Red flag warning warnings were in effect through Wednesday.
Helicopters drop water on the 2,700-acre Franklin Fire in dramatic images
Julia Musto10 December 2024 22:42
City of Malibu says a Verizon support team is positioned in Zuma Beach
Julia Musto10 December 2024 22:30
The evacuation center for the Franklin Fire is moving
The evacuation center for the Franklin fire is moving, KABC-TV reported Tuesday afternoon.
Officials from the American Red Cross reportedly told the station that the center will be at the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Professional Development & Learning Center building.
The original location was the Palisade Recreation Center.
Julia Musto10 December 2024 22:20
Some highway traffic signals are out due to heavy winds and power outages
Julia Musto10 December 2024 21:50