MALIBU—On December 9, a fire began in the Hills of Malibu. By December 10, 2,200 acres were consumed with fire forcing the people of Malibu to leave their homes. Mandatory evacuations are in place east of Malibu Canyon Road, South Plum Road, and Serra Retreat. Many residents were forced to evacuate including some celebrities such as Dick Van Dyke, and his wife, Arlene, Cher, Barbara Streisand, Julia Roberts, Beyonce’, and Jay-z among others.
By December 11, reports confirmed more than 3,000 acres in this area burned.
The talented actor and comedian, Dick Van Dyke, who turns 99 years old on Friday, December 13, checked in on his Facebook account to let his friends and fans know he and his wife evacuated safely.
“Arlene and I have safely evacuated with our animals except for Bobo escaped as we were leaving. We’re praying he’ll be OK and that our community in Serra Retreat will survive these terrible fires.”
Multiple news reports indicate that Cher has also evacuated safely with her pets who are all with her at the area hotel of her choice. There is currently no information readily available on the evacuation status of the other stars living in the area.
Serra Retreat is a Catholic Retreat Center, but also a gated community of luxury homes nestled in the hills of Malibu overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
The following came directly from the Malibu-Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce webpage.
“In 1942, the Franciscan Friars purchased the 26-acre property with an abandoned hilltop mansion and began hosting Catholic men’s retreats. In the 1970’s they began hosting women’s retreats. The Franciscan Friars continue the tradition, welcoming groups, and personal retreats, as well as meetings, conferences, and workshops. Serra Retreat provides a superb opportunity for church groups, schools, and non-profit and profit organizations, to reflect, plan, and set new goals.
Canyon News reached out to the Franciscans at the Serra Retreat Center to inquire about their safety. Tami Georgeff, the Administrator of the Serra Retreat Center responded with the following statement.
“Thanks for reaching out. We are all safe and everyone was evacuated in time. The fire came very close to our property and sadly a couple of houses were lost in the canyon below us. Tom Anderson, our Executive Director was able to go back up there to check on the property. The first responders did a wonderful job of keeping Serra Retreat safe.”
