Fast-moving brush fire in Malibu prompts evacuations, school closures, shelter in place order at Pepperdine
Posted on 12/10/2024
This is a developing story and will be updated. For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
L.A. County Fire via X
L.A. County Sheriff Lost Hills via X
City of Malibu
L.A. County emergency information
A fast-moving brush fire quickly grew to more than 2,200 acres in Malibu by Tuesday morning amid high winds and extreme fire danger. Authorities warn the fire "continues to pose a significant threat" and are asking that both residents and visitors out of the area.
Mandatory evacuations are in place, Malibu schools are closed and Pacific Coast Highway, the main way in and out, is shuttered as firefighters work in tough conditions.
What we know so far
The Franklin Fire started shortly before 11 p.m. near Malibu Canyon Road and Station Boundary, according to L.A. County Fire officials. City officials said the fire sparked about three miles north of Pacific Coast Highway, and that the cause was not immediately clear.
At around 3 a.m., Malibu officials reported that the fire had spread south over PCH, threatening structures by Malibu Pier, Malibu Road, Malibu Knolls and Sweetwater Mesa
The Pepperdine University student newspaper reported that the campus was "experiencing a power outage" due to the fire, saying school officials had warned at 11:30 p.m. that the fire could grow to 100 acres. An hour later, student journalists reported that the university had not activated shelter-in-place orders, the school's protocol in case of fire.
By 1 a.m., anyone on campus was told to relocate to the campus center or library:
By Tuesday morning, Pepperdine officials said the worst of the fire had moved on but that there are smaller spot fires on campus that are not threatening life or structures.
Malibu officials also closed all schools for Tuesday, citing the ongoing fire dangers. SoCal Edison also reported large swaths of the area without power due to the fire activity, according to its outage map.
Fears that the fire could grow overnight proved warranted. National Weather Service officials reported that winds were expected "to increase to 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 65 mph." At the same time humidity was expected to remain low — conditions ripe for devastating fires.
Authorities had warned that the danger for fire is particularly high through at least Wednesday.
The basics
Acreage: 2,200 acres as of 7:10 a.m. Tuesday
Containment: 0%
Structures destroyed: None reported, although an undetermined number are considered threatened
Deaths: None
Injuries: None
Personnel: Water-dropping helicopters deployed
Evacuations
The City of Malibu reports the following mandatory evacuations as of Tuesday morning. :
Mandatory evacuations for Serra Retreat, Zone MAL-C112, MAL-C112, MCR-U021A, RMB-U030, SDP-U029-A (see CalFire map below)
Note: an mandatory evacuation is an order by law enforcement to leave immediately due to a serious threat to life and property.
Evacuation warnings
MAL-C113, MCR-U021-B, MTN-U028, SDP-U029-B, SSM-U010, TOP-U008, VST-U022
Evauation shelter
Palisade Recreation Center, 851 Alma Real Dr., Pacific Palisades (Small pets welcome in carriers and crates.)
Large animal evacuation center
Palisades Recreation Center: 851 Alma Real Drive
Pierce College in Woodland Hills: 6201 Winnetka Ave at Victory Blvd
Road closures
Pacific Coast Highway is closed, except for evacuations, between Topanga Canyon Blvd and Corral Canyon Road, per Caltrans District 7
See additional L.A. County road closures
Listen to our Big One podcast
Listen • 39:42
Get ready now. Listen to our The Big Burn podcast
Jacob Margolis, LAist's science reporter, examines the new normal of big fires in California.
Resources to prep and cope with wildfire
Wildfires are getting worse. What you need to know
Every day is now fire season. Let's get you ready for the next wildfire burning near you
Evacuation terms can be confusing. Here’s what they mean and how to sign up for alerts
How to keep yourself safe from wildfire smoke
This is why fire officials don't want you to stay and defend your home
What does 'containment' of a fire mean, exactly
What to do — and not do — when you get home after a wildfire
If you want to help fire victims, resist the urge to volunteer
L.A. County Fire via X
L.A. County Sheriff Lost Hills via X
City of Malibu
L.A. County emergency information
A fast-moving brush fire quickly grew to more than 2,200 acres in Malibu by Tuesday morning amid high winds and extreme fire danger. Authorities warn the fire "continues to pose a significant threat" and are asking that both residents and visitors out of the area.
Mandatory evacuations are in place, Malibu schools are closed and Pacific Coast Highway, the main way in and out, is shuttered as firefighters work in tough conditions.
What we know so far
The Franklin Fire started shortly before 11 p.m. near Malibu Canyon Road and Station Boundary, according to L.A. County Fire officials. City officials said the fire sparked about three miles north of Pacific Coast Highway, and that the cause was not immediately clear.
At around 3 a.m., Malibu officials reported that the fire had spread south over PCH, threatening structures by Malibu Pier, Malibu Road, Malibu Knolls and Sweetwater Mesa
The Pepperdine University student newspaper reported that the campus was "experiencing a power outage" due to the fire, saying school officials had warned at 11:30 p.m. that the fire could grow to 100 acres. An hour later, student journalists reported that the university had not activated shelter-in-place orders, the school's protocol in case of fire.
By 1 a.m., anyone on campus was told to relocate to the campus center or library:
By Tuesday morning, Pepperdine officials said the worst of the fire had moved on but that there are smaller spot fires on campus that are not threatening life or structures.
Malibu officials also closed all schools for Tuesday, citing the ongoing fire dangers. SoCal Edison also reported large swaths of the area without power due to the fire activity, according to its outage map.
Fears that the fire could grow overnight proved warranted. National Weather Service officials reported that winds were expected "to increase to 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 65 mph." At the same time humidity was expected to remain low — conditions ripe for devastating fires.
Authorities had warned that the danger for fire is particularly high through at least Wednesday.
The basics
Acreage: 2,200 acres as of 7:10 a.m. Tuesday
Containment: 0%
Structures destroyed: None reported, although an undetermined number are considered threatened
Deaths: None
Injuries: None
Personnel: Water-dropping helicopters deployed
Evacuations
The City of Malibu reports the following mandatory evacuations as of Tuesday morning. :
Mandatory evacuations for Serra Retreat, Zone MAL-C112, MAL-C112, MCR-U021A, RMB-U030, SDP-U029-A (see CalFire map below)
Note: an mandatory evacuation is an order by law enforcement to leave immediately due to a serious threat to life and property.
Evacuation warnings
MAL-C113, MCR-U021-B, MTN-U028, SDP-U029-B, SSM-U010, TOP-U008, VST-U022
Evauation shelter
Palisade Recreation Center, 851 Alma Real Dr., Pacific Palisades (Small pets welcome in carriers and crates.)
Large animal evacuation center
Palisades Recreation Center: 851 Alma Real Drive
Pierce College in Woodland Hills: 6201 Winnetka Ave at Victory Blvd
Road closures
Pacific Coast Highway is closed, except for evacuations, between Topanga Canyon Blvd and Corral Canyon Road, per Caltrans District 7
See additional L.A. County road closures
Listen to our Big One podcast
Listen • 39:42
Get ready now. Listen to our The Big Burn podcast
Jacob Margolis, LAist's science reporter, examines the new normal of big fires in California.
Resources to prep and cope with wildfire
Wildfires are getting worse. What you need to know
Every day is now fire season. Let's get you ready for the next wildfire burning near you
Evacuation terms can be confusing. Here’s what they mean and how to sign up for alerts
How to keep yourself safe from wildfire smoke
This is why fire officials don't want you to stay and defend your home
What does 'containment' of a fire mean, exactly
What to do — and not do — when you get home after a wildfire
If you want to help fire victims, resist the urge to volunteer
Comments( 0 )
0 0 21
0 0 21
