Another devastating forest fire is raging in Southern California and has also reached the exclusive residential areas of Malibu. Many stars from the film, music and entertainment industries now had to be evacuated – including 78-year-old Cher.
As a spokeswoman told the New York Times, the singer and her pets were placed in a hotel to protect themselves from further danger. They were evacuated in the early hours of Tuesday (December 10) as the fire inexorably approached. The “Franklin Fire,” which broke out on Monday night, is spreading at high speeds primarily due to strong winds. So far it has already affected more than 12,000 square kilometers of land. The famous coastal road, the Pacific Coast Highway, is particularly affected.
This birthday probably won’t take place at home
Actor Dick Van Dyke (“Mary Poppins”) also announced that he had been evacuated with his wife and animals. The actor reported on Facebook that he was safe and hoped the situation could be brought under control quickly. He also misses his cat Bobo. At 98 years old, he is one of Hollywood’s oldest greats. However, he probably won’t be able to celebrate his 99th birthday on December 13th at home.
“Scary times”
Oscar winner Mira Sorvino (“Beloved Aphrodite,” 1996) is also affected by the fires. She announced on X that she, her children and her animals had to leave the house. “To all my Malibu friends and neighbors, I hope you are all safe. We were evacuated in the middle of the night.” She, her children and the animals are doing well. “Scary times,” adds the 57-year-old.
The homes of Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and Jay-Z are also said to be in the evacuation zone. It is not yet known whether they also had to flee the flames.
Scenes like those in Malibu six years ago
The California Fire Department is currently focused on fighting the flames. Over 700 emergency services are mobile in the affected areas to continue to contain the extent of the destruction. According to “dpa”, at least seven buildings in Malibu were destroyed. According to further media reports, at least 18,000 more people had to leave their homes.
The “Franklin Fire” is reminiscent of the devastating accident in 2018, when a similar fire in Malibu razed over 1,500 buildings to the ground, including numerous properties owned by prominent personalities such as Thomas Gottschalk, Miley Cyrus and Gerard Butler.