Franklin fire in Malibu explodes as Dick Van Dyke and Cher evacuated: Live updates

Abigail Ballhagen and Bethany Kronlund, juniors and co-resident assistants, described the experience as terrifying. They helped evacuate students from dorms to the school’s library while flames advanced nearby. “Ash was everywhere, embers were everywhere,” Ms Kronlund told AP.

Ms Ballhagen added: “It felt super apocalyptic.”

University spokesperson Michael Friel confirmed that while parts of the campus were “singed,” there was no major damage. Classes and final exams were cancelled on Tuesday as the fire pushed past the school, sparing it from more severe impacts.

The wildfire, driven by Santa Ana winds, has scorched over 3,000 acres and continues to pose a threat to nearby areas.

The 98-year-old shared on Facebook that he and his wife, Arlene Silver, managed to leave their Serra Retreat home with most of their animals, but their beloved cat Bobo escaped during the chaos.

“We’re praying he’ll be ok and that our community in Serra Retreat will survive these terrible fires,” Van Dyke wrote, amid evacuations just days before his 99th birthday.

He later posted a video of Bobo, where the ginger cat is seen playing and scratching himself in a garden, adding, “Hoping Bobo is ok.”

The fast-moving wildfire, fuelled by strong Santa Ana winds, has placed much of Malibu under evacuation orders, displacing thousands of residents, including celebrities like Van Dyke and Cher.

The Franklin Fire in Malibu has expanded overnight, scorching over 3,000 acres near Pepperdine University and forcing thousands to evacuate.

At a Tuesday news conference, officials confirmed that the fire has destroyed seven structures and damaged eight more, based on preliminary assessments. Firefighting and evacuation efforts are ongoing as crews work to contain the blaze.

A real-time map provided by officials showed the perimeter and evacuation areas of the massive Franklin Fire.

The Franklin Fire in Malibu has scorched over 2,800 acres and destroyed at least seven structures as of Tuesday evening, Los Angeles county officials confirmed.

Aerial images show that seven structures were destroyed and eight others damaged, fire chief Anthony Marrone said, adding that a more accurate assessment will be conducted on Wednesday by damage inspection teams.

Over 1,500 firefighters are battling the blaze, while the Los Angeles county sheriff’s department is managing 32 operations, including evacuations, road closures, and security patrols in the area.

“Fire can be extremely unpredictable, and we highly encourage residents in the fire areas to be prepared, have a plan, and heed our evacuation warnings and orders,” said Cpt Jennifer Seetoo.

Around 20,000 residents are currently under evacuation orders or warnings due to the wildfire.

A Malibu man is recalling the moment his family woke up to the swiftly-approaching flames of California’s Franklin Fire.

“My son’s got a little bit of shellshock, he’s definitely feeling a little anxious,” Nick Smyth, 43, told The Associated Press. Smyth lives on a farm in the Serra Retreat community with his wife and two children. “They woke up to an inferno outside their bedroom.”

His wife had packed getaway bags before they went to sleep on Monday and were awakened by a neighbor shouting a few hours later.

They evacuated the area and went to a friend’s house outside of Malibu. He believes their home is safe.