the city of Malibu remains under threat of flames, thousands of people have been evacuated

About 1,600 hectares and at least seven properties, according to authorities, have gone up in smoke since the outbreak of the fire, named Franklin, on Monday evening.

Entire neighborhoods reduced to ashes The fire continues to spread and thousands of people were evacuated on Wednesday, December 11, in Malibu, an upscale Californian city popular with stars, where firefighters are fighting the flames fanned by the wind to save houses threatened. About 1,600 hectares and at least seven properties, according to authorities, have gone up in smoke since the outbreak of the fire, named Franklin, on Monday evening.

By Wednesday morning, firefighters had contained the fire to 7%, firefighters said. The intensity of the fire decreased in the east and north, but the flames grew stronger in the west overnight, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said Wednesday, warning that the area was not out of danger. “Weather conditions, including strong winds and low humidity, will be closely monitored today as they play a key role in the evolution of the fire”he told the press.

The resulting red alert should be maintained for a good part of the day, estimates the local manager. About 20,000 people were targeted Tuesday by evacuation orders or alerts asking them to prepare to evacuate, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. More than 1,500 firefighters are fighting the disaster, supported by a fleet of water bomber planes.

After two rainy winters which offered a relative respite, California is experiencing a very active fire season this year. In July-August, the state suffered the fourth largest fire in its history. Scientists consider that heatwaves and droughts of increasing intensity favor forest fires and are consequences of climate change.