Among those who have been forced to leave their homes in the beautiful coastal area near Los Angeles are the artists Cher and Dick Van Dyke, reports AP.
At Pepperdine University, the 3,000 students have instead been ordered to take shelter in the library and cafeteria – despite the flames raging visibly nearby, according to local media.
For Malibu's many horse owners, the past few days have been anxious. But now, most of the animals are reported to have been evacuated from the smoke and heat to a shelter in Woodland Hills, northeast of the Franklin fire.
I was there at three in the morning. I drove into the flames, I had to pick up my horse, Jocelyn Writer tells NBC's local TV channel about the dramatic rescue of Cashew.
It is unclear what caused the fire to start on Monday, but the rapid spread is attributed to the dry Santa Ana winds blowing from the inland towards the coast.
Currently, the fire is raging over approximately 1,100 hectares and is not under control – despite being fought by nearly 1,500 firefighters. At least seven "structures", likely buildings, have been destroyed and eight more damaged, according to preliminary reports from the Los Angeles fire chief.
