The Franklin Fire, a fast-moving wildfire that broke out in Malibu Canyon earlier this week, has forced thousands of residents, including some of Hollywood’s most famous faces, to evacuate their homes. The blaze, which had ignited late Monday, has already scorched over 3,000 acres of land and remains barely contained.
Among those evacuated are legendary actor Dick Van Dyke and his wife, Arlene. The couple managed to flee with most of their pets, although Van Dyke reported that one of their cats, Bobo, remains missing. On Facebook, the 98-year-old actor, best known for his roles in Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, expressed hope for his community’s survival. “We’re praying [Bobo will] be OK and that our community in Serra Retreat will survive these terrible fires,” he wrote.
Singer Another Malibu resident who had to evacuate her home was Cher. Known for her decades-long music career and numerous film roles, Cher’s departure highlights the widespread impact of the fire on the city’s celebrity population. Other high-profile figures, including Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, and Mark Hamill, have homes in the affected area, though their evacuation statuses vary. Streisand’s publicist could not confirm whether she had left, while Hamill, famed for his portrayal of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, reportedly chose to stay put.
The Franklin Fire has already burnt down seven structures and damaged eight others, leaving behind charred remains of homes and vehicles. Malibu, known for its stunning oceanfront properties and its status as a retreat for the elite entertainment society, has also experienced disruptions in daily life due to the Franklin Fire. Utility companies have closed schools and roads, and tens of thousands of homes have lost power to prevent fueling the blaze.
The fire broke out just three miles north of the iconic Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and spread rapidly, crossing the highway to threaten landmarks such as the Malibu Pier. Pepperdine University, situated near the fire’s origin, initially instructed students to shelter in place as flames encroached on the campus. Dramatic footage captured students huddling in the university library while firefighters battled the advancing inferno. Despite reports of minor damage on campus, there were no injuries, and the shelter-in-place order eventually lifted.
Malibu’s famed allure has long been its breathtaking scenery and proximity to Los Angeles, making it a magnet for stars and industry moguls. The city’s exclusive neighborhoods, such as Serra Retreat and the Malibu Colony, are sprawling estates owned by some of the biggest names in Hollywood. These communities, now under evacuation orders, underscore the fire’s reach into the heart of the entertainment world.
For residents like Dick Van Dyke, who have called Malibu home for decades, the fire is a personal and emotional ordeal. Reports suggest that the fire destroyed Van Dyke’s neighbor’s home, leaving his own property unaffected for the time being.
The notorious Santa Ana winds, sometimes referred to as “devil winds,” which can gust up to 40 mph and turn small fires into raging infernos, have driven the fire’s rapid spread. Although the cause of the fire remains unknown, the region’s dry conditions and seasonal red-flag warnings have created an ideal environment for disaster.
This is not the first time Malibu has faced devastation from wildfires. The 2018 Woolsey Fire, which killed three people and destroyed 1,600 homes, remains a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability. Yet, Malibu’s residents, including its celebrity population, have shown resilience in the face of such tragedies, with many stars, such as Miley Cyrus and Gerard Butler, rebuilding their homes and supporting recovery efforts after the Woolsey Fire, demonstrating a communal spirit that transcends the glitz and glamour.
Federal and state resources are deploying to combat the Franklin Fire as it continues to burn. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the availability of federal assistance, while over 1,500 firefighters are on the ground, with more personnel expected to join in the coming days. Evacuation centers have been set up to accommodate displaced residents and animals, providing a semblance of stability amid the chaos.
Experts warn that wildfires like the Franklin Fire are becoming more frequent and intense in the area, driven in part by climate change. Rising temperatures and prolonged droughts have created such an environment in California that even small ignition sources can lead to catastrophic blazes. While scientists caution against attributing every wildfire directly to climate change, the overall trend points to a troubling future for regions like Malibu.
For Hollywood, the Franklin Fire serves as another reminder of the fragility of its idyllic coastal haven. As flames threaten homes and disrupt lives, the community’s response emphasizes both the risks and the resilience of life in Malibu.
