BEAT IT
Wildfire seen blazing towards Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch at a ‘high speed’ as crews race to save late star’s home
Pictures show the property's iconic gates engulfed in smoke
A WILDFIRE is raging towards Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch property.
Evacuation orders are in place in California after the major fire, called Lake Fire, broke out Friday.
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The blazes are burning near MJ's infamous ranch in Santa Barbara County - and pictures of the terrifying scene show the iconic gates surrounded by smoke.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said the fire is moving at a dangerously high speed as a smoke plume from the fire can be seen throughout the county.
Firefighters are racing toward Lake Fire to put out the blaze, which is now spanning over 12,227 acres.
SBC Fire has sent 10 air tankers and three helicopters to help contain the flames, they reported on X.
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The Santa Barbara County Fire Department has evacuated the Zaca Lake Resort as the fire grows.
The fire started on Santa Lucia Road near Zaca Lake on July 5 just before 4 pm local time, according to Cal Fire.
Evacuation orders have been issued for Figueroa Mountain Road from the Forest Station to Chamberlin Ranch.
People in areas north of Zaca Creek Road, east of Foxen Canyon Road, and South of the Sisquoc River are also asked to evacuate the area.
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As evacuations continue, shelter support information is available by calling (805) 678-3073. Santa Barbara County Animal Services is also helping residents evacuate large animals.
Signs and traffic cones are currently blocking the road to Sycamore Valley Ranch, which was called Neverland Ranch when it was owned by the late singer.
Jackson's former property is located at 5225 Figueroa Mountain Road - meaning it's included in the evacuation orders.
The ranch, renamed in 2015, is located on the edge of the Los Padres National Forest.
From 1988 to 2005, the 2,700-acre estate was the home and private amusement park of the singer, who died in 2019 when he was only 50 years old.
He originally bought the home for about $17 million and added odd features to the property including a zoo, an amusement park with a Ferris wheel, a train, and a 50-seat theater.
Jackson was accused of abusing children on the property, accusations which he vehemently denied.
He stopped visiting Neverland in 2005 after he was acquitted of child molestation charges, leading the estate to fall into neglect.
The property was later sold to billionaire Ronald Burkle in 2020 for $22 million after five years on the market.
The theme park will be brought back into the limelight for the upcoming biopic about Jackson's life called Michael.
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The movie will star the late King of Pop's 27-year-old nephew Jaafar, as Jackson.
Scenes for the movie were shot on the property earlier this year - and pictures of the set showed that fairground rides appeared to have been repainted and the landscaping restored.
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