Malibu fires latest news: Franklin wildfire burns 4,000 acres as officials warn it will take ‘number of days’ to contain
Roughly 20,000 face evacuations in Malibu, including some celebrities, as fire continues to rage near Los Angeles
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Your support makes all the difference.A fast-moving wildfire has scorched more than 4,000 acres in Malibu, forcing 20,000 residents to flee as flames race towards homes, horse farms and Pepperdine University.
The Franklin Fire, another late-year wildfire fanned by fierce Santa Ana winds, has left a trail of destruction as officials confirmed seven structures destroyed and nine damaged. Fire officials say it will take a “number of days” to put out the blaze, according to NBC Los Angeles. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The strongest winds in the area have passed, and meteorologists said high fire dangers have decreased, which should aid efforts to contain the fire. Evacuations have displaced thousands of residents, including celebrities Dick Van Dyke and Cher.
Malibu mayor Doug Stewart called it a “traumatic 20 hours” for the city, as emergency operations relocated to Calabasas after the city hall was threatened. He said: “It burns, it grows back, and we're resilient.”
More than 1,500 firefighters are battling the blaze with many roads closed and others under security patrols. At Pepperdine University, 3,000 students sheltered in place as smoke and embers engulfed the campus. “Ash was everywhere, embers were everywhere,” said a student, Bethany Kronlund.
As 19K residents are affected by Franklin Fire, its cause remains under investigation
The cause of the Franklin Fire remained under investigation on Wednesday.
The nearly 4,000-acre blaze has forced thousands of Malibu residents from their neighborhoods.
There have been no reports of significant injuries or deaths, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a morning news briefing. Luna said that was a “huge victory” and a testament to residents’ excellent cooperation.
“Our priority continues to be the safety of our residents,” he said.
Luna, urging people to remain alert, said that no crimes had been reported in places that were threatened by the wildfire. He also announced additional road closures in the area.
There are 19,982 people and 7,560 structures in the affected area. In addition, 12,600 people are under evacuation orders and 7,382 are under evacuation warnings
Wednesday is the last day of the severe fire weather warning, Lindsey Horvath, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, said.
Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart said his city was far better off this morning than before, noting that traffic signals were utilizing back-up generator power. Some traffic signals on highway on- and off-ramps were temporarily out on Tuesday.
“It’s inspiring and it’s humbling to have this level of support,” he said.
Los Angeles County officials say fire acreage increased by 39 percent overnight
The Franklin Fire increased in acreage by 39 percent overnight, Los Angeles County officials said Wednesday morning.
As the brush fire grew along its western edge, it threatened the Malibu Beach RV park.
Thus far, nine structures have been damaged in the blaze, and seven others were destroyed.
Crews are continuing to work to establish containment lines and defense structures. More than 1,500 personnel were assigned to the incident.
While they have made some headway, the entire fire area remains under threat as long as red flag conditions continue, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone explained.
The red flag event was expected to end around 6 p.m. PST.
Fire personnel, Marrone said, would remain on the scene until the fire is contained.
“They’re all working to protect our community and we thank all of the affected residents for their cooperation and especially for their resilience,” he told reporters.
Students shelter as Franklin Fire burns meters from Pepperdine University windows
Students shelter as Franklin Fire burns meters from Pepperdine University windows
Students looked on as orange smoke from the Franklin Fire engulfed the Pepperdine University campus near Malibu on Tuesday, 10 December. The late-year wildfire prompted a shelter-in-place order for students. Footage showed the night sky glowing orange as the fire burned close to the university. LA County fire officials said the blaze had burned at least 2,800 acres and was 0 per cent contained as of Tuesday evening. At least 1,500 first responders from multiple agencies have responded to the scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Firefighters work to put out Franklin Fire’s flames as blaze grows
Malibu fire map: Thousands of acres of California scorched by wildfires as 20,000 evacuate
Malibu fire map: 3,000 acres of California scorched by wildfires
Real time maps from California Fire Department show how the blaze has spread to over 3,000 acres of land – an area twice the size of Central Park
Pepperdine University says fire activity around campus is ‘greatly diminished'
Nearly 4,000-acre Franklin Fire is nearly 7 percent contained
Malibu’s Franklin Fire had spread over nearly 4,000 acres by Wednesday mroning.
The blaze scorched 3,983 acres, Cal Fire reported.
However, the agency also reported that firefighters had made some progress. The wildfire is 7 percent contained.
Photos: Destruction caused by Malibu wildfires
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