Dick Van Dyke’s Brave Escape from the Malibu Fires highlights the urgency faced by residents in the path of disaster.

The beloved entertainer, who recently celebrated his remarkable 99th birthday, found himself in a precarious situation as the Franklin Fire rapidly advanced through the Malibu Canyon area of California. Local authorities urged him and other residents to evacuate their homes for safety.

During the evacuation, Dick faced significant challenges as he struggled with exhaustion. Fortunately, his caring neighbors came to his rescue, demonstrating the power of community support in times of crisis, as he shared in a recent interview.

Discover more about this heroic story…

“It was comin’ over the hill, you could see it,” he recounted, expressing the panic that filled the air. As he described the scene to TODAY, he reflected, “And oh my god, we got out of here.”

“I was trying to crawl to the car. I had exhausted myself. I couldn’t get up,” he recalled, detailing the struggle of untangling his hose while feeling completely drained. Thankfully, three courageous neighbors came to his aid, carrying him to safety and even returning to extinguish a small fire that had ignited in his guest house, ultimately saving him from further danger.

The Franklin Fire has been devastating, consuming over 4,000 acres and destroying at least 20 structures, which include nine single-family homes. Additionally, it has caused damage to 14 single-family homes, two multi-family dwellings, seven commercial properties, and five outbuildings, illustrating the widespread impact of this natural disaster.

As of Tuesday, December 17, reports indicate that the fire is approximately 63% contained, allowing residents to breathe a sigh of relief as firefighters continue their efforts to control the blaze.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this devastating wildfire.