A ferocious wildfire, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, is tearing through Southern California’s most exclusive neighborhoods, leaving Malibu’s wealthiest residents scrambling to evacuate. The Franklin Fire, which has already scorched 3,049 acres, shows no signs of containment, forcing closures, disruptions, and widespread evacuations in the area.
Historic Landmarks and Celebrity Homes at Risk
The fire has crossed the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, impacting structures such as the historic Malibu Pier, though the extent of the damage remains unclear. Mandatory evacuation orders affect approximately 2,000 homes, including multimillion-dollar estates owned by high-profile figures.
Among the properties under threat is a $21 million mansion on Malibu Road, recently sold by Ye (formerly Kanye West), and the beach house featured in Lana Del Rey’s “High by the Beach” music video. Billionaire’s Beach, officially known as Carbon Beach, is at the heart of the evacuation zone, home to Oracle founder Larry Ellison’s $48 million estate and famed restaurant Nobu Malibu, whose co-founder’s $20 million mansion is also in jeopardy.
Even Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s $190 million coastal estate, one of California’s most expensive homes, is under an evacuation warning. The Malibu Beach Inn, a luxury resort on Carbon Beach, has shut down operations, citing the growing danger.
Evacuations and Warnings Intensify
Cal Fire has issued stark warnings for those in the evacuation zone, emphasizing the immediate threat to life. “This is an order by law enforcement to leave immediately. The area is lawfully closed to public access,” officials announced.
Students at Pepperdine University were ordered to shelter in place for hours, while schools throughout Malibu remain closed. Evacuation updates are being coordinated via Genasys to ensure public safety.
Malibu’s Landmarks and Community Brace for Impact
With flames closing in on the famed Nobu Malibu, the quirky McDonald’s on Pacific Coast Highway, and other iconic locations, residents are left wondering what will survive. The Franklin Fire has already reshaped Malibu’s pristine coastline, and the battle to contain it is far from over.
As firefighters work tirelessly against unrelenting winds, the fate of this luxurious enclave hangs in the balance, with its residents and landmarks caught in a perilous fight for survival.
The city, often pictured as a sun-soaked paradise, is now the scene of evacuations and uncertainty for its famous inhabitants, including Dick Van Dyke, Cher, and Barbra Streisand.
Dick Van Dyke’s Narrow Escape
Legendary actor Dick Van Dyke, days away from celebrating his 99th birthday, revealed on Facebook that he and his wife, Arlene Silver, fled their home in the exclusive Serra Retreat neighborhood as flames closed in.
“Arlene and I have safely evacuated with our animals, except for Bobo, who escaped as we were leaving,” he wrote, referring to one of their cats. “We’re praying he’ll be OK and that our community in Serra Retreat will survive these terrible fires.”
Cher Takes Precautions
Singer Cher, another Malibu icon, also evacuated as the fire swept through the area. Her publicist, Liz Rosenberg, confirmed that Cher left her home Monday night with her pets, seeking refuge in a nearby hotel. No additional details about her situation have been disclosed.
Malibu’s Celebrity Enclave on Edge
Malibu, long celebrated for its tranquil coastal bluffs and opulent estates, is now grappling with the devastation brought by the Franklin Fire. As the city’s rich and famous flee their homes, the fate of this iconic enclave hangs in the balance, with firefighters battling to save both lives and landmarks.
