Dick Van Dyke Among Thousands Forced to Flee Malibu as Brushfire Rages
As wildfires continue to ravage parts of Southern California, thousands of residents have been forced to flee Malibu.
Among those who have packed up and left are stars such as Cher, Barbara Streisand, and Dick Van Dyke.
“Arlene and I have safely evacuated with our animals except for Bobo escaped as we were leaving,” Van Dyke wrote on Facebook.
“We’re praying he’ll be ok and that our community in Serra Retreat will survive these terrible fires.”
As a point of reference, Bobo is Van Dyke’s beloved cat.
Later, the Hollywood legend posted a video of his cat playing in the garden, writing, “Hoping Bobo is ok.”
The Brushfire Began Monday Night
The current blaze threatening Southern California was initially reported around 10:45 PM on Monday night as a small brush fire. Since then, the fire has spread and continued to move toward the Pacific Ocean.
Photo Credit: Photo: NOAH BERGER, AP)
Dubbed the Franklin Fire, the inferno has caused mandatory evacuations. In total, 6,000 people residing in 2,000 structures have been ordered to leave. In addition to Van Dyke, this populous includes Cher and Barbra Streisand.
Cher at Balmain Ready To Wear Spring 2024 held at Palais de Chaillot on September 27, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images)
While a spokesperson confirmed that Cher has fled her home and taken refuge in a hotel, it is not known if Streisand evacuated.
How Did the Fire Start?
Although it remains unclear how the fire started, we do know how it spread. Gusts from the Santa Ana winds have fanned the flames. With more wind in the forecast through Wednesday, the fire could continue to grow.
Photo: Wikipedia
