A wildfire has been raging through California’s Malibu scorching 4,037 acres of land making it difficult for the firefighters to gain access. The crew has though managed to make progress with 20 per cent containment on Thursday, according to CBS News.
The wildfire in the scenic ocean-side community of Malibu has forced thousands to evacuate. The so-called Franklin Fire began late on Monday night near Pepperdine University charring several homes but the school remained unharmed.
Around 20,000 remain under evacuation warnings including a host of celebrities including Dick Van Dyke, Cher, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, and Jay Z. Star Wars actor Mark Hamill said in a social media post that he planned to remain at home despite the fire hazard, according to a BBC report.
🇺🇸 🚒 As the Franklin Fire explodes in Malibu, California, mass evacuations are taking place
California Fire officials acknowledge that the Franklin fire, which started late Monday, has already burned over 2,600 acres and is not yet contained. The situation is becoming worse due… pic.twitter.com/xzIXDOhS9C
— John Metzner (@JohnRMetzner) December 12, 2024
Dyke was forced to flee, he said in a Facebook post on Tuesday. The Mary Poppins star who would turn 99 on Friday said he left his home with his wife Arlene and their pets except for one cat named Bobo, which remains missing.
“We’re praying he’ll be OK and that our community in Serra Retreat will survive these terrible fires,” he wrote on Facebook.
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Students at Pepperdine University, a private Christian university, were forced to shelter in place late Monday as flames approached buildings on campus.
The firefighters are working aggressively to prevent any further damage, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire). “The deep and rugged terrain, along with the strong winds and low humidity, continue to pose challenges for firefighters,” the agency said on Wednesday.
At least seven structures, including homes, have been destroyed in the fire, said Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone in an update on Wednesday.
