Beloved Actor Dick Van Dyke Crawls to Safety Amidst Malibu Wildfire Evacuation Drama

In a dramatic turn of events, beloved actor Dick Van Dyke, who recently celebrated his 98th birthday, found himself crawling to safety during a wildfire evacuation in Malibu this week. The star of iconic films like "Mary Poppins" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" was forced to evacuate his home alongside his wife Arlene Silver and their pets as the Franklin Fire rapidly approached their neighborhood. Van Dyke recounted the harrowing experience during an interview aired on the Today Show, detailing how he had initially attempted to combat the flames with a fire hose. Exhausted from his efforts, he could no longer stand and ended up crawling to his car. Fortunately, three neighbors came to his aid, carrying him to safety while also managing to extinguish a small fire threatening his guest house. "I had exhausted myself, I couldn't get up," Van Dyke said, expressing his gratitude for the support from his community. The couple has since returned to their home, where they were relieved to find their cat Bobo, who had gone missing during the chaos of the evacuation. Van Dyke shared the joyous news on Facebook, posting a photo of the disgruntled feline and thanking Animal Control for their assistance in locating him. Arlene also chimed in, describing how she heard Bobo's distressed cries upon their return, a sound that brought immense relief after the harrowing ordeal. As the Franklin Fire continues to threaten the scenic coastal community, it has prompted widespread evacuations. Not only is Van Dyke's home under threat, but several celebrities residing in the area, including Cher and Barbra Streisand, have also been forced to flee. Cher's publicist confirmed that she has relocated to a hotel with her pets. The fire, exacerbated by strong Santa Ana winds, began late Monday night and has rapidly expanded, initially covering 100 acres and surging to over 2,600 acres within hours. Emergency services have issued mandatory evacuation orders affecting more than 6,000 residents in fire-prone neighborhoods like Serra Retreat and Sweetwater Canyon. As firefighters work tirelessly to contain the blaze, they face not only the challenges of the fire itself but also the rapidly changing winds that have complicated their efforts. Footage from the area shows flames threatening nearby structures and prompting urgent alerts from local authorities. The situation has escalated to a point where key cultural sites, including the Getty Villa, are also at risk. This museum, a vital part of the Getty Museum, features antiquities from ancient Greece and Rome and stands as a testament to the cultural heritage of the region. With the fire still raging and containment efforts ongoing, many residents remain anxious about the safety of their homes and the future of their community. Van Dyke, who will celebrate his 99th birthday on December 13, remains optimistic, expressing hope for his community amid the devastating circumstances. As the situation continues to unfold, the resilience of the Malibu community shines through, with neighbors rallying together during this challenging time.