Recently, Dick Van Dyke and his wife, Arlene Silver, faced the challenges brought on by the destructive wildfires sweeping through Southern California. At 99 years old, the beloved actor, famous for his role in Mary Poppins, made the decision to remain at their cherished Malibu home despite the imminent danger.
In an Instagram Live broadcast, Arlene, 53, shared updates about their situation and confirmed that, although many nearby homes had been damaged, their residence was still safe.
Arlene explained that while their guest house had caught fire briefly, the damage was thankfully minimal. In Malibu and the surrounding areas, several properties—some belonging to celebrities—were not as fortunate.
Due to the Palisades fire, which severely impacted the Pacific Palisades area, the couple’s home in Malibu was left without power. They’ve been relying on a gas generator to keep things running. Arlene explained that neither she nor Dick felt the need to leave their home, despite the difficult circumstances. Van Dyke, who has lived through many such challenges, is no stranger to these fiery events in the scenic region.
«Keeping Dick warm and entertained is my priority during this time,» Arlene shared. «Since we don’t have electricity, we’re making do with a camper to cook and charge our devices.»
She continued, “Dick feels most at peace here. It’s where he feels the most cared for. I can’t imagine many other seniors handling this situation as he does.»
Just a month before, the Van Dykes had to evacuate again due to the Franklin fire, which had come dangerously close to their Los Angeles home. Fortunately, their thoughtful neighbors helped them to safety. Van Dyke reassured his concerned fans via Facebook after the evacuation, sharing that both he and his pets were safe and sound.