Thousands Evacuated due to Malibu Fire near LA: Luxury Villas in Flames

los angeles - A fire near Malibu, close to Los Angeles in the US state of California, has forced the evacuation of thousands of people. The fire has already burned over a thousand hectares of land in the popular area known for its celebrity and billionaire residents.

The fire broke out on Monday evening and continues to rage, fueled by the wind and extremely dry vegetation. Over seven hundred firefighters are battling the blaze, supported by a fleet of water bombers.

Among the evacuees is the 98-year-old actor Dick Van Dyke, famous for his role in Mary Poppins (1964) and numerous TV series. He wrote on Facebook, 'Arlene and I have safely evacuated our animals, except for one cat that escaped when we left. We pray that he will survive and that our community will survive these terrible fires.'

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a red alert for a large part of Southern California due to gusty winds and low humidity increasing the fire risk.

After two rainy winters, California is experiencing a highly active fire season this year. The 'Golden State' endured several heatwaves last summer.