Franklin Fire devastates Malibu California, forces thousands to evacuate

Californian hoarder town Malibu, home to Hollywood stars and millionaires, was hit by a forest fire. As of Tuesday afternoon, flames have scorched more than 890 hectares of land in the area of the residential area west of Los Angeles, the fire department said. Nearly 6,000 people were ordered to evacuate — giving up their homes — over half of Malibu’s population.

The Franklin Fire started at 6:45 pm Monday and spread overnight. Tuesday was a day off for all schools across the city. A private institution called Pepperdine announced that all lectures and exams were canceledd.

Video footage published online by local media showed smoke and flames around a library where students had taken shelter with smoke masks. Authorities used the online service X to remind the city’s residents to avoid the badly burned areas because they were a “serious threat”.

Many celebrities and Hollywood stars have residences and villas in Malibu. RA red alert was declared by the US Weather Service across vast areas of southern California. Fires were suppressed and fanned by gusty and dry conditions.

Forest fires in California wreak havoc every year in forests and residential places. Experts say that fires will be more common and more destructive, given climate change. Earlier in November a similar Santa Ana winds-driven forest fire residents in southern California many homes.

According to BBC, The fire has burned through 2,713 acres in Malibu since it started late on Monday evening. Much of the area is under an evacuation warning or order, with more than 5,000 residents affected. No injuries have been reported, though multiple homes have been destroyed. The exact number isn’t clear. Photos from a number of news agencies show the charred remains of burned-out vehicles and homes, some with only brick chimneys remaining. Multiple schools in the area have canceled classes until further notice