Franklin Fire in Malibu explodes as Dick Van Dyke and Cher evacuate: Live Updates

Juniors and co-resident assistants Abigail Boerhagen and Bethany Kronlund described the experience as frightening. They helped evacuate students from their dorms to the school library as a fire progressed nearby. “There was ash everywhere, embers everywhere,” Kronlund told The Associated Press.

“It felt very apocalyptic,” Ballhagen added.

University spokesman Michael Friel confirmed that while parts of the campus were “burnt,” there was no major damage. Classes and final exams were canceled on Tuesday as the fire moved through the school, averting a more serious impact.

Wildfires driven by Santa Ana winds have burned more than 3,000 acres and continue to threaten nearby communities.

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

“We pray that he is safe and that our community at Serra Retreat survives this terrible fire,” Van Dyke said during the evacuation, just days before his 99th birthday. I am,” he wrote.

He later posted a video of Bobo, showing the ginger cat playing in the garden and scratching himself, adding: “I hope Bobo is okay.”

The wildfires, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, have placed much of Malibu under evacuation orders, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate, including celebrities such as Van Dyke and Cher.

The Franklin Fire in Malibu grew overnight, burning more than 3,000 acres near Pepperdine University and forcing thousands of people to evacuate.

At a press conference on Tuesday, authorities confirmed that based on preliminary investigations, the fire had destroyed seven buildings and damaged eight more. Firefighting and evacuation efforts continue as crews work to extinguish the fire.

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

Malibu’s Franklin Fire has burned more than 2,800 acres and destroyed at least seven structures as of Tuesday evening, Los Angeles County officials confirmed.

Fire Chief Anthony Malone said aerial photos showed seven structures were destroyed and eight others damaged, adding that a more accurate assessment would be done by a damage assessment team on Wednesday.

More than 1,500 firefighters are battling the blaze, while the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is managing 32 operations, including area evacuations, road closures, and security patrols.

“Fires can be very unpredictable, and we strongly encourage residents in fire areas to be prepared, have a plan, and follow evacuation warnings and instructions,” said Lt. Jennifer Seetu.

Approximately 20,000 residents are currently under evacuation orders or warnings due to the wildfires.

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

“My son seems a little shocked. He’s definitely a little worried,” said Nick Smith, 43. Associated Press. Smith lives on a farm in the Serra Retreat community with his wife and two children. “They found hellish conditions outside the bedroom.”

His wife had packed up her getaway before going to bed on Monday, but woke up hours later to the sound of her neighbors screaming.

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

The Franklin Fire continues to grow.