Fire: Malibu is on alert

Malibu, California, is engulfed in flames, thousands of people have been evacuated. According to the authorities, more than 1,150 hectares and seven homes have already been ravaged by the flames.

The Franklin fire, declared Monday evening, is progressing near Los Angeles. The surrounding areas of Malibu, home to towns, beaches and celebrity residences, have been ravaged since Tuesday by a fire which led to the evacuation of thousands of people. More than 1,150 hectares and seven homes in this area popular with celebrities and billionaires have already been destroyed, according to the authorities.

The fire broke out Monday evening and, fueled by strong winds and extremely dry vegetation, continues to spread. All schools in Malibu, located on the Pacific coast, were closed Tuesday, while authorities urged “residents and visitors to avoid the area while the fire poses a serious threat.” More than 1,500 firefighters are being mobilized to fight the flames, assisted by a fleet of aerial fighter planes, said Anthony Marrone, Los Angeles fire chief.

According to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, approximately 18,000 people and more than 8,000 properties are in the area affected by the fire. Nearly 2,000 properties in eastern Malibu were issued a mandatory evacuation order, while residents of another 6,000 properties were advised to vacate.

Alert to Malibu

Among those evacuated is 99-year-old former movie star Dick Van Dyke, best known for his role in Mary Poppins (1964) and in numerous television series. Pepperdine University announced on X that it had suspended all classes and exams on Tuesday.

Shared videos show clouds of smoke and flames in front of a library where students, equipped with protective masks, had taken refuge. Much of Southern California has been placed on red alert by the U.S. Weather Service (NWS), with high winds and low humidity increasing the risk of fires.

After two particularly rainy winters which offered a welcome respite, California is facing an extremely active fire season this year. This summer, the state was hit by several heat waves, symptoms of global warming. In July-August, California experienced the fourth largest fire in its history.