Cross overlooking Pepperdine University They miraculously survived a wildfire that came dangerously close to the Malibu, Calif., campus and forced students to shelter in place earlier this week.
A video shared by the campus on Wednesday shows a clear hiking trail leading to the unharmed cross surrounded by dirt and burned vegetation.
The school shared an unattributed quote from a person who said he had “tears in his eyes” and was “grateful to God” as he approached the cross.
The cross sits at the top of Hiking trail Which extends three miles into the Santa Monica Mountains.
Malibu wildfires force celebrities to flee their luxury homes as destruction spreads
A cross sits atop the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking the campus of Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. (Pepperdine University)
The original cross burned during the Woolsey Fire in 2018. The current 20-foot cross was placed there by the brothers of the Sigma Chi fraternity, the school said in a statement. Blog post.
Meanwhile, firefighters continue to battle the blaze — dubbed the Franklin Fire — which was only 20% contained on Thursday.
The Franklin Fire broke out in the upscale city of Malibu. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
The fires were fanned by strong winds that swept the area at the beginning of the week, making it difficult for firefighters to control the flames.
Firefighters struggle to contain fast-moving Malibu wildfires, calling for evacuation orders
The weather improved so much on Wednesday that meteorologists discontinued all red flag warnings, indicating high fire danger, and crews were able to successfully fight off the flames.
The city is about 45 miles north los angeles, It is famous for its rugged valleys, stunning cliffs and celebrity mansions overlooking the sea.
The Franklin Fire prompted a shelter-in-place order at Pepperdine University in Malibu as flames surrounded the campus. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
More than 3,700 Malibu residents were allowed to return to their homes, but another 1,600 people with homes in the city remained under evacuation orders. A
In all, about 20,000 residents of the city and surrounding areas have been affected by mandatory evacuation orders and warnings since the fire broke out late Monday.
The Franklin Fire is burning through Malibu. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Evacuation orders affected many celebrities living in the city, including Cher, Jane Seymour and Dick Van Dyke, among others.
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Early analysis shows little to no damage to structures at Pepperdine University. Final exams have been postponed or canceled, and faculty have been determining the best way to complete the semester that ends this week.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
