On Monday, December 9, a wildfire erupted and began advancing toward nearby communities, prompting mandatory evacuation orders by early Tuesday morning.
The county’s fire department announced that the brush fire stretched for 100 acres at the time of the initial report, and covered mostly the Malibu Canyon.
They have issued mandatory evacuation orders for areas east of Malibu Canyon Road and south of Piuma Road.
Fire crews are actively responding to contain the blaze.
Very dry winds have also caused the wildfire to spread quickly toward Pepperdine University, which has activated its shelter-in-place protocol.
The university management announced on its Facebook page, “All community members on the Malibu campus are directed to shelter in place in the Tyler Campus Center or Payson Library.”
Pepperdine University has emphasized that its community should adhere strictly to campus-specific guidelines rather than broader evacuation orders from Malibu or nearby areas.
The shelter-in-place protocol, approved and coordinated with the Los Angeles County Fire, ensures the campus remains a safe haven even when surrounding areas evacuate.
The flames have also shifted toward the upscale Serra Retreat neighborhood, triggering mandatory evacuation orders for residents.
As authorities prioritize public safety, Los Angeles County has activated the emergency webpage for the wildfire through the Emergency Operations Center.
For updates on evacuation areas and other information, residents are asked to visit alertla.org.
Residents are also encouraged to follow @LACoFDPIO and @LHSLASD on social media for real-time updates and use the hashtag #FranklinFire.
As the wildfire continues to rage in Malibu Canyon, social media has been flooded with images and updates from those witnessing the situation.
Many have shared photos and videos of the sky, painted in eerie shades of orange and red.
These media show the thickening of smoke and the winds intensifying, fueling the fire’s rapid spread.
Los Angeles County Fire trucks have been spotted in Malibu Canyon, Malibu Crest Road, and Malibu Bluffs Park near Malibu Road, where crews are battling the blaze.
The firefighting efforts continue amid challenging conditions, as the wind only seems to accelerate the fire’s advance.
Sara Fujiwara, a volunteer at the California Wildlife Centre, expressed concern about the massive fire in Malibu, which is dangerously close to the wildlife hospital.
With strong winds expected to intensify, she noted that firefighting efforts are limited in the darkness. Although evacuations have been issued, some areas are already contained.
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles had issued a warning on December 7, forecasting light to moderate Santa Ana winds through Saturday, followed by stronger winds from Monday to Wednesday.
These conditions were expected to create critical fire risks across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, with fires likely to grow rapidly due to the strong winds.
The conditions have proven accurate, as live updates on the Franklin Fire show it being fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, causing the blaze to spread rapidly.
The Los Angeles Regional Fire Safe Council provides crucial guidance for residents in fire-prone areas.
They stress the importance of acting quickly when a fire breaks out, “Don’t wait. GO!”
The council notes that each wildfire is unique, and relying on a single evacuation route is not always safe.
Hence, they insist that when people feel at risk, they shouldn’t wait for evacuation orders but start to leave.
However, residents must stay informed through live updates via radio or the internet, ensuring access to real-time information.
Having a hand-cranked radio and smartphone on hand is recommended.
The council adds, “Leaving early is not only important for you, it’s important for firefighters. If the roads are jammed with vehicles, they can’t get into the fire zone to defend homes.”
The council advises evacuating early to ensure safety, stressing that life cannot be replaced.
They urge residents to act quickly and leave before the situation becomes more dangerous.
