Fire danger eased in Malibu and Southern California Wednesday as the region's Santa Ana winds tapered off.
The Franklin Fire nonetheless grew to more than 4,000 acres, or more than six square miles, Wednesday, forcing 20,000 people out of their homes as firefighters continue to work to contain the blaze.
More than 1,500 firefighters were battling the blaze, with many climbing through steep canyons near lines of flames and others hosing down collapsed roofs of horse stables and charred homes. Aircraft dropped water and flame retardant.
Fire officials said Wednesday afternoon the fire is 7% contained. Seven structures had been destroyed an another nine were damaged.
More than 3,000 customers in Malibu still had their power shut off, as utilities work to keep firefighters safe and reduce the risk of sparking more ignitions.
Red flag warnings, which indicate risks from high fire danger and the Santa Ana winds, were discontinued for the region on Wednesday.
The fire erupted shortly before 11 p.m. Monday and swiftly moved south, jumping over the famous Pacific Coast Highway and extending all the way to the ocean, where large homes line the beach and rugged inland canyons are notoriously fire-prone. At one point, flames threatened the historic Malibu Pier, but the structure was protected, officials said.
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Much of the devastation occurred in Malibu, a community of about 10,000 people on the western edge of Los Angeles renowned for its stunning scenery of seaside bluffs and Zuma Beach featured in Hollywood films. Flames burned near celebrities’ seaside mansions, horse farms and Pepperdine University, where some 3,000 students were forced to shelter in place on campus. Many evacuated their dorms to the library through smoke and ash as flames roared in the canyon nearby.
Van Dyke, one of many celebrities with homes in Malibu, said he and his wife, Arlene Silver, had evacuated as the fire swept in. The actor turns 99 on Friday. “Arlene and I have safely evacuated with our animals except for Bobo escaped as we were leaving,” said Van Dyke, 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 evacuated from her Malibu home when ordered and is staying at a hotel, her publicist Liz Rosenberg said late Tuesday.
It was not immediately known how the blaze started.
