Franklin Fire
Firefighters have been working overtime to contain a wildfire that has spread across more than 4,000 acres in Malibu, California.
The Franklin Fire started early Monday morning and grew rapidly Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, fueled by Santa Ana winds (strong, very dry winds from inland, high-pressure areas of California). As of yesterday, the fire was ~7% contained.
While no injuries have been reported, almost half of Malibu’s 10,000 residents—including stars like Cher, Barbie, Ken, and Dick Van Dyke (who’s celebrating his 99th birthday today)—have evacuated the area. Malibu’s Pepperdine University canceled its final exams but issued a shelter-in-place to students earlier this week, prompting many students to sleep in the school’s library as flames roar outside.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Massive weather events and natural disasters remind us that all of the world has been broken by sin. But Christians can look forward to an eternity where there’s redemption not just for people but for creation itself.
“For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it—in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children.”
Romans 8:20-21 (CSB) (read full passage)