A rapidly spreading wildfire has engulfed the celebrity-laden area of Malibu in Southern California, forcing road closures and prompting evacuations as the blaze surged in size overnight into Wednesday morning.

As of Wednesday morning, the Franklin Fire has scorched approximately 3,983 acres, with just 7% containment, according to CalFire. This marks a significant increase of 39% in size since Tuesday night, driven by powerful Santa Ana winds and low humidity, which have garnered red flag warnings for the area that will remain in effect through Wednesday.

According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, “Fire activity escalated substantially last night” on the western perimeter of the fire.

Weather experts caution that severe fire conditions will persist on Wednesday, although there is a glimmer of hope as conditions are expected to improve later in the evening.

The advancing flames pose a threat to many celebrity homes, including those of Hollywood icon Dick Van Dyke, and have approached a nearby RV park community, officials reported on Wednesday. Firefighters also noted the fire has extended across the legendary Pacific Coast Highway.

John Christensen, owner of Malibu Seafood Fresh Market and Patio Cafe, shared that the flames neared his restaurant by only a quarter mile early Wednesday, but thankfully, firefighters successfully kept them at bay.

“That was definitely too close for comfort,” reflected Christensen.

Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone reported that some structures sustained damage overnight, but it remains unclear how many of these were residences.

The blaze was first identified on Monday just before 11 p.m. local time, and the cause is currently under investigation.

Franklin Fire Intensifies, Community Resilience Remains Strong

On Wednesday morning, John Christensen received a text alerting him that his 25-year-old business, Malibu Seafood Fresh Market and Patio Cafe, was under threat. Having left the night before after ensuring his generators were operational, he returned to find the flames still quite elevated on the surrounding hills.

Using an alternative route due to road closures on the Pacific Coast Highway, he was permitted to pass through checkpoints. When he arrived, to his relief, the structure was still intact. “Luckily,” he expressed.

Christensen mentioned he and a couple of staff members offered to provide meals for the firefighters, but they were informed the crew had to focus on their work.

Reflecting on past fires, Christensen recounted the Woolsey Fire of 2018, which had damaged some outdoor furniture at his restaurant. Nonetheless, he believes that the risk of wildfires is a small price to pay for being in such a beautiful area.

“This place is like a cat; it has nine lives, and it’s still here,” he stated regarding his restaurant. “We love it here.”

Similarly, Mark Wain, co-owner of Cafe Luxxe, a coffee shop along the PCH, echoes the sentiment about community.

“Malibu has a fantastic community; it’s not only about the scenic views but also about how tightly-knit and supportive the people are,” said Wain, who has co-owned the Malibu location since 2015. “It’s absolutely worth being here.”

Red Flag Warnings to Continue Through Wednesday Afternoon

The National Weather Service’s red flag warning for Malibu, indicating optimal conditions for fire spreading due to elevated temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds, is set to expire on Wednesday at 2 p.m.

The Santa Ana winds fueling the blaze are expected to diminish throughout the day and cease by evening.

At the same time, Los Angeles and Ventura counties’ valleys and mountains are primarily under red flag warnings, which will remain until Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Smoke Triggers Air Quality Alert for Surrounding LA Areas

The ongoing Franklin Fire has led to harmful concentrations of fine particulate matter in the air.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued an air quality advisory until 5 p.m. on Wednesday for Malibu, Northwest coastal Los Angeles County, sections of the San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica, downtown Los Angeles, and other nearby locations.

Residents are advised to stay indoors and keep windows shut, utilize air purifiers if available, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, and switch off any house fans that could draw in outside air. Those who must venture outside should wear a properly fitted N95 mask, according to officials.

Smoke particles can enter the lungs and lead to serious health issues, including heart attacks, strokes, asthma episodes, and breathing difficulties. While anyone can be affected, those with pre-existing health conditions, elderly individuals, children, pregnant women, and outdoor workers are at greater risk.

How Many Homes Have Been Affected?

Initial reports indicate that seven homes have been lost due to the fire.

According to Marrone during a news briefing on Wednesday morning, some structures have been completely ruined, while nine others are damaged.

“We express our sympathy to everyone impacted by this tragic event,” the City of Malibu shared in a recent update.

Marrone mentioned on Tuesday that the extent of damage to homes was lessened due to the efforts of the firefighting teams.

Iconic Pacific Coast Highway Faces Road Closures

A section of the Pacific Coast Highway—renowned for its breathtaking ocean views along a 21-mile stretch in Malibu—is among various roads in Malibu affected by closures due to the Franklin Fire.

A roughly 5-mile stretch from Carbon Canyon to Corral Canyon Road was only open for individuals actively evacuating on Wednesday, as stated by Cal-Fire.

Several other roads nearby the fire site were either completely closed or only accessible to residents escaping the area.

“This measure isn’t meant to inconvenience anyone. It’s for your safety,” emphasized Sheriff Robert Luna at a morning press conference on Wednesday, aiming to keep pathways clear for emergency personnel.

Santa Ana Winds Forecasted to Reach 50 mph in Southern California

Wednesday is projected to be another hazardous day for fire conditions in Southern California, with forecasters warning: “A significant Santa Ana event will keep widespread critical to extremely critical fire weather in effect across many regions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Wednesday,” according to the National Weather Service’s online forecast.

“Peak gusts may reach 40 to 50 mph in many wind-susceptible coastal and valley areas throughout Wednesday morning,” reported the weather service. “This increase in wind gusts elevates the risk of downed trees and power lines, which could lead to power outages.”

On the bright side, there is hope for improvement: Fire weather conditions and winds are predicted to start getting better later in the day.

“Expect conditions to improve by later this afternoon or evening,” the weather service stated. “All Red Flag Warnings are set to lapse by 6 pm today.”

Understanding Santa Ana Winds

Santa Ana winds, infamous for being one of the most disruptive wind patterns and a seasonal weather peril in Southern California, have significantly contributed to the intense wildfire in Malibu.

These winds typically occur in the fall and winter, transporting dry air from the inland deserts of California and the Southwest towards the coastline. As the Santa Anas blow down from the mountains between the desert and coastal California, they become compressed and warm.

As this air heats up, its relative humidity decreases, sometimes dropping below 20% or even 10%. This extremely low humidity contributes to the drying of vegetation, making it more flammable.

According to the National Weather Service, “Nowhere else do these winds affect as many individuals with such intensity, creating a vast potential for damage and devastation.”

Celebrities’ Homes at Risk, Including Mark Hamill and Dick Van Dyke

Areas facing the fire threat are under mandatory evacuation orders.

Van Dyke, who is about to celebrate his 99th birthday this Friday, mentioned in a Facebook post that he has successfully evacuated. Meanwhile, Mark Hamill, 73, shared that he is following safety protocols and sheltering in place.

“I’m confined to the house, which perfectly suits my reclusive elderly lifestyle,” Hamill humorously remarked.

Additional stars like Cher and Barbra Streisand also reside nearby, as reported by the New York Times. Cher’s representative indicated to the publication that she and her pets moved to a hotel for safety on Monday.

Homes in Malibu have faced wildfire damage over the years, affecting numerous celebrities. The 2018 Woolsey Fire, for instance, garnered attention for damaging properties belonging to Miley Cyrus, Neil Young, and Gerard Butler.

Map of Franklin Fire

In roughly 12 hours, the fire expanded from 2,862 acres to 3,983 acres, according to CalFire.