(Reuters) -Firefighters made some progress in containing a wildfire in the beach community of Malibu, California, on Wednesday, but it continued to threaten several structures, force residents to flee and close schools in the area.

A wildfire burning through Malibu that has sent thousands of people fleeing for safety, including Hollywood celebrities, forged west on Wednesday, as firefighters battled to save homes from the blaze.

MALIBU, Calif. — Officials in Southern California reported significant overnight growth of a wind-driven wildfire that has forced thousands of people, including celebrities like Cher and Dick Van Dyke, from their homes in Malibu, but forecasters said firefighters would get a break from improving weather conditions.