Franklin Fire in Malibu impacting 18K residents shuts down PCH, destroys homes
MALIBU, Calif. - CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST UPDATES ON THE FRANKLIN FIRE IN MALIBU. THIS ARTICLE WILL NO LONGER BE UPDATED.
A crew of 700 firefighters continue to battle a fire, fueled by howling Santa Ana winds, that erupted in Malibu north of the Pepperdine University campus. The fire has shut down Pacific Coast Highway and prompted evacuations for residents.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has also assigned 150 deputies to assist with road closures, evacuations and keeping residents informed as conditions change.
Around 10:50 p.m. Monday, crews with the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to a call about the blaze, dubbed the "Franklin Fire."
In the latest update provided by fire officials around 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, the fire had grown to 2,200 acres, up from 1,822 acres, with 0% containment.
Residents have been asked by officials not to use their sprinklers or irrigate their lawns as that water will be used in the firefight.
LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said in an update Tuesday morning that 18,000 people have been impacted by the fire and that there are 8,100 structures in the affected area. Of those structures, 2,043 are under evacuation orders and 6,046 are under evacuation warnings.
Also during Tuesday morning's news conference, LA County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said a minimal number of homes were destroyed but at this point, they are unable to provide an exact number. In addition, no fatalities or serious injuries have been reported.
Marrone added that the area remains "under an immediate threat" due to Red Flag conditions.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the state has secured federal funding to provide additional resources for the firefight.
The fire has impacted buildings along Malibu Knolls Road and Sweetwater Canyon, according to the City of Malibu.
On Monday night, as the fire continued to spread, deputies went door to door in Malibu and used loudspeakers to alert residents they were being evacuated.
The cause of the fire is under active investigation by the LA County Fire and LA County Sheriff’s arson investigators.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
The fire broke out as parts of Los Angeles County were under a Red Flag Warning. The weather alert was issued for the San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Clarita Valley, Western San Fernando Valley, Calabasas, the 14 Freeway corridor, as well as the Malibu coast.
FOX 11 Meteorologist Maria Quiban said the dry conditions with strong wind, combined with the terrain and vegetation of dry brush made for the "perfect recipe." She added there were prevailing winds from the upper levels of the atmosphere and that wind gusts have ranged between 45 and 55 mph, and even up to 80 mph in isolated areas.
SUGGESTED: Strong Santa Ana winds threaten Southern California with 'highest possible' fire danger
A Red Flag Warning remains in effect through 2 p.m. Tuesday, while a High Wind Warning remains in place through 10 p.m.
EVACUATION ORDER
Marrone said those in the evacuation order area should leave now and those in the evacuation warning areas should prepare to leave when that warning transitions to an order.
My request is "if you’re in the fire area…please leave now."
A mandatory evacuation order is in place for the following areas:
- East of Malibu Canyon Road
- South of Piuma Road
- Serra Retreat
- Tuna Canyon to Puerco Canyon
EVACUATION WARNING
- Puerco Canyon to Trancas Canyon
ROAD CLOSURES
- A soft closure remains in place at Las Virgenes and Lost Hills roads.
- Pacific Coast Highway between Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Kanan Dume Road.
- Topanga Canyon Boulevard is also closed between Mulholland Drive and PCH in both directions.
- Malibu Canyon Road is closed in both directions between Piuma Road and PCH.
It is unknown when Pacific Coast Highway will reopen to the public.
SCHOOL CLOSURES
Pepperdine University canceled classes and final exams for Tuesday, December 10. Shortly before the news of classes being called off, the school issued a shelter-in-place order on campus, which impacted about 800 students. At the time of the shelter mandate, Pepperdine required all community members on the Malibu campus to hunker down in the Tyler Campus Center or Payson Library.
FOX 11 spoke with Pepperdine University students sheltering inside one of the libraries. Gabrielle Salgado said students were inside a fire-resistant campus library wearing masks as they watched the fire spreading through the building's windows.
On Tuesday morning, the shelter-in-place order had been lifted and students were allowed to return to on-campus housing.
In addition, between the firefight and poor air quality, all schools are closed in Malibu on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
EVACUATION SITE
The Red Cross opened a site for all impacted by the fire at the Palisades Recreation Center located at 851 Alma Real Drive.
A site for small animals has been established at Aguora Animal Shelter at 29525 Aguora Road in Aguora Hills.
Also, a large animal shelter opened at Pierce College at 6201 Winnetka Avenue in Woodland Hills.
POWER SHUT-OFFS
Southern California Edison shut off power for parts of Malibu in the wake of the fires.
The Source: This report used information from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Pepperdine University and FOX 11 meteorologists Maria Quiban and Adam Krueger.