MALIBU, Calif. — With weather conditions improving in Southern California, firefighters made progress on Wednesday in combating a fierce fire that has taken hold in steep and hard-to-reach areas of Malibu, prompting evacuations for thousands, including notable celebrities. Officials reported that the blaze, known as the Franklin Fire, began on Monday night and expanded to over 6 square miles but was only 7% contained as of Wednesday evening.
The evacuation orders and warnings affected approximately 20,000 residents, leaving many anxiously awaiting news about their homes. Captain Jennifer Seetoo from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the numbers as crews continued fighting the inferno amidst challenging terrain. CalFire Assistant Chief Dusty Martin expressed optimism about the firefighting efforts, attributing their success to more favorable weather patterns.
The National Weather Service announced that the most intense Santa Ana winds of the week, which had gusts reaching 40 mph, had subsided, resulting in the cancellation of all red flag warnings related to high fire risks. These notorious winds typically push dry air from inland towards the coast, thwarting moisture from ocean breezes.
Malibu, a picturesque coastal community with roughly 10,000 residents, has been particularly hard-hit. The area is famous for its breathtaking views and locations like Zuma Beach, recognized for its presence in numerous Hollywood productions. Flames endangered several properties yesterday, including those near horse farms and luxurious seaside residences, and even affected students at Pepperdine University, which ordered its students to shelter in place for a second consecutive night due to the fire’s proximity. Representatives from the university confirmed that final exams would be adjusted, with little to no damage reported on campus per initial evaluations.
While the cause of the fire remains unknown, officials indicated that nine buildings had been destroyed, with at least six others suffering damage. Fire crews have only managed to survey about a quarter of the affected areas, according to Deputy Chief Albert Yanagisawa of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. One victim, Lonnie Vidaurri, recounted how he learned from neighbors that firefighters would have to break into his destroyed home after evacuating with his family.
Mimi Teller, a Red Cross representative, described the chaotic scenes in evacuation shelters, with individuals arriving in their pajamas and displaying signs of shock. Many residents fled without essential items like backpacks, while others, like a woman who rushed out without a leash for her dog, were caught completely off guard.
Others, such as Shawn Smith, who was abruptly awakened at 3 a.m. to evacuate from an RV park, described witnessing flames approaching rapidly. Fortunately, on his return the following day, he found that firefighters had managed to save the park from destruction.
Celebrities like Van Dyke and Cher also evacuated. Van Dyke shared on social media that he and his wife had to leave their home but are hoping their cat, who went missing during the chaos, would return safely. Meanwhile, Cher’s publicist confirmed her evacuation and stay at a hotel.
The Franklin Fire ignited just before 11 p.m. Monday and quickly spread southward, leaping across the well-known Pacific Coast Highway and reaching the shore. Local residents, like Alec Gellis, took measures to protect their homes, using water pumps from their swimming pools to quench flames threatening their properties, while utility companies preemptively cut power to thousands to reduce fire risks associated with the winds.
As of Wednesday afternoon, power outages persisted for about 600 Southern California Edison customers, significantly affecting areas in Los Angeles County. Nonetheless, thousands in Malibu remained without electricity due to safety shutoffs implemented for the protection of firefighting efforts. Previous fires in the region, such as the devastating Woolsey Fire in 2018, which resulted in loss of life and significant property damage, have raised concerns about the possible involvement of utility equipment in incidents like the current one.
This narrative reflects the intense circumstances faced by the Malibu community as they navigate through this ongoing wildfire crisis, revealing a combination of personal loss, determination, and efforts to restore safety.
