Over 1,500 firefighters are battling the Franklin wildfire near Malibu, California, which has continued to spread for a second day.
The blaze has destroyed several buildings, prompted widespread evacuations, and led to school closures, according to Reuters.The wildfire, named Franklin, ignited late Monday night local time and has rapidly expanded across more than 1,500 hectares of rugged, hilly terrain by Wednesday. At least seven structures have been destroyed, with eight more sustaining damage. Firefighters have yet to bring the fire under control, and the cause remains unknown.
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for the region on Tuesday, labeling it an “especially dangerous situation.” The warning remains in effect as strong Santa Ana winds, also known as “devil winds,” continue to fuel the fire, combined with extremely low humidity. While the winds are expected to weaken later in the day, dry conditions are forecasted to persist.
Evacuation orders remain in place for parts of the affluent coastal city, home to many Hollywood celebrities. Sky News reported that actor Dick Van Dyke, who turns 99 this Friday, was among those forced to leave his home. Reports also suggest singer Cher may have been affected by the evacuation orders.
Key roads, including the Pacific Coast Highway, remain closed, and public schools have canceled classes for Wednesday and Thursday. The wildfire posed a threat to Pepperdine University, a private Christian institution, on Tuesday. However, university officials stated on Wednesday that the campus and surrounding buildings suffered only minor damage.
