The Franklin wildfire is spreading through the Malibu community
Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued to 20,000 Southern California residents as firefighters battled a wind-driven wildfire in Malibu that burned near celebrity homes on the coast. (Credit: Associated Press)
Thousands of people have left their homes in Malibu because of the disaster Franklin Fire setting the city on fire, including a litany of high-profile residents.
On Monday, fires spread throughout the area, exacerbated by dry land and Santa Ana winds. Six buildings were damaged and nine were destroyed, according to Cal Fire. Only 7% of the fire is under control.
Dick Van Dyke, Jane Seymour and Brooke Burke and other stars took to social media to share their devastation for their communities, with many fleeing with their children and beloved animals.
MALIBU WILDFIRE SURROUNDS DICK VAN DYKE’S HOUSE; 98-YEAR-OLD STAR ‘SAFELY EVACUATED’
A map shows the approximate location of the homes of Jane Seymour, Dick Van Dyke and Mark Hamill as wildfires continue to rage through Southern California. (Fox News)
Dick Van Dijk
The cherished legend Van Dyke told his followers that he and his longtime love, wife Arlene Silver, had to leave Malibu.
“Arlene and I evacuated safely with our animals, except that (our cat) Bobo escaped as we were leaving. We pray that he will be okay and that our community at Serra Retreat will survive these terrible fires,” Van Dyke wrote. its official Facebook page Wednesday.
Dick Van Dyke fled his home in Malibu with his wife and most of his pets. He found his cat Bobo when he got home. (Paul Morigi/Getty Images; Apex/Mega)
Hours later, the veteran actor noted that he had been reunited with his feline friend.
“We found Bobo as soon as we got home this morning. There was so much interest in his disappearance that Animal Control was called in to help. But luckily he was easy to find and unharmed,” Van Dyke said.
On Thursday morning, Van Dyke appeared on the “Today” show and talked about the harrowing evacuation process.
“It came over the hill. You (could) see it,” he said of the fire. “I tried crawl to the car. I had exhausted myself. I couldn’t get up. And three neighbors came and carried me out and came back and put out a small fire in the guest house and saved me.”
Mark Hamill provided some levity amid the wildfires raging in Malibu. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images)
Mark Hamill
Mark Hamill was unable to evacuate Malibu due to the Franklin wildfire. The “Star Warsactor warned fans on social media that he was in lockdown.
“Please stay safe everyone! I am not allowed to leave the house, which fits perfectly with my elderly hermit lifestyle,” the 73-year-old wrote.
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Brooke Burke
Former “Dancing with the starsChampion and TV personality Burke said she and her family are safe after evacuating their Malibu home. The mother-of-four shared photos to her Instagram, including one of her standing next to a firefighter who appeared to be exploring the area.
Brooke Burke gave an update on her family after the Malibu evacuation. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images; Brooke Burke Instagram)
“Prayers for Malibu… what a community. We love our home and we fight to protect it and somehow we continue to face disaster after disaster in honor of this sacred space. I am so grateful for all our friends who reached out and family, gardeners, helpers, neighbors and the more than 1,000 first responders, law enforcement officers, volunteers and workers who helped save so many. I am so grateful for all the brave firefighters trying to overcome the uncertainty of Mother Nature and the bad winds to cope,” she wrote.
In a separate video shared to her Instagram Story, Burke told her followers that her children, animals and home were all safe.
“I’m just heartbroken for our friends and neighbors who can’t say the same. … Wild times in Malibu,” she said.
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Jane Seymour
On Wednesday, actress Seymour shared eerie images of Malibu on fire on her Instagram.
Jane Seymour shared a photo of the raging fire. (Jane Seymour/Instagram)
“The fires in our community are a stark reminder of how quickly life can change. Fortunately, my family and I were able to evacuate safely, but my thoughts are with everyone who is still in danger, the brave firefighters who risk everything to protect us and the many who call Malibu home,” she wrote. “Let’s continue to support each other, stay informed and stay hopeful. Our community is strong and together we will get through these challenging times.”
Jane Seymour photographed the exterior of her home, showing how close the fire was to her property. (Jane Seymour/Instagram)
In one separate messageSeymour shared a video of the raging fire and wrote that she and her family had to flee the area.
“While the Franklin Fire in Malibu continues to burn and has come extremely close to our home, we remain evacuated and safe. “We are deeply grateful for the incredible firefighters and incredible group of Malibu volunteer firefighters who risk everything to protect our homes and our communities,” she wrote.
“This fire reminds us of the strength, courage, resilience and compassion that bind us together in the most difficult of times. Let’s continue to support and lift each other up, as we always do.
Jane Seymour, who lives in Malibu, was forced to evacuate her home with her family. (Stephane Cardinale/Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
“To everyone fighting the flames and keeping us safe, thank you. Your courage is extraordinary.”
Mira Sorvino
Mira Sorvino says she and her family successfully fled Malibu. (Andrew Toth/WireImage/Getty Images)
Actress Mira Sorvino offered prayers to her Malibu community after the evacuation. The “Mighty Aphrodite” star wrote to X, “All my Malibu friends and neighbors, I pray you are safe. We were evacuated in the middle of the night, children and pets are all responsible! Scary times!!’
Sorvino and her husband, actor Christopher Backus, have four children together, two of whom are under 18.
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Cher
Cher has reportedly evacuated her Malibu home due to the Franklin Fire. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Cher was forced to evacuate her Malibu home, The New York Times first reported. A rep for the singer told Fox News Digital that the singer, 78, “has not yet returned home.”
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Fox News Digital has contacted several additional stars who own properties in the area.
