USA NOW! Franklin Fire: Hollywood on Edge as Flames Threaten California

The powerful Franklin Fire began on the evening of December 9 in Los Angeles County, California, near the famous resort city of Malibu.

Critically low humidity and strong Santa Ana winds, with gusts reaching 40 miles per hour, fueled the flames and contributed to its explosive spread. The challenging terrain further complicated the efforts of 1,000 firefighters working to contain the blaze.

By the night of December 10, the fire was spreading at a rate of five football fields per minute. Over two days, it grew from 100 to 4,000 acres.

A rare red flag warning — an "extremely critical situation" with the highest fire danger level of 3 out of 3 — was declared in Southern California.

Local residents, including notable Hollywood actors, fled their homes in panic. One resident recounted waking up at night to find the fire rapidly approaching her house, leaving no time to gather belongings and forcing her to leave immediately.

Evacuation orders or warnings affected 18,000 people. Several shelters were opened for displaced residents.

All schools in Malibu were closed. Pepperdine University canceled exams, advising students to shelter in libraries and dormitories. Around 400 students spent the night waiting for updates while watching the orange glow of flames through the windows.

The Pacific Coast Highway was closed. Approximately 60,000 customers in California were left without power as electricity was preemptively shut off due to the elevated fire risk.

Preliminary reports indicated that seven homes were completely destroyed, with eight more sustaining damage. There were no reported fatalities or injuries.

Despite all efforts, the fire was only 7% contained after three days. Firefighters continued to battle the flames, striving to limit its spread and protect residents.

Climate disasters are intensifying, leaving no one immune to the forces of nature. In these circumstances, raising public awareness about climate-related issues is crucial, along with understanding what each individual can do to safeguard themselves and their loved ones. Insights shared by scientists and volunteers at the “Global Crisis. The Responsibility” forum can help address these challenges.