The wildfire in Malibu, California, remains 0% contained as of Tuesday evening. It has already destroyed at least seven structures and forced tens of thousands to evacuate, according to Los Angeles County officials.
Dubbed the Franklin Fire, the blaze has burned over 3,000 acres in just one day, leading to evacuation orders and warnings for nearly 20,000 people in the area.
Authorities have issued evacuation orders for seven zones in Malibu, stretching from the Pacific coastline to the outskirts where the fire first started in Malibu Canyon. These orders are a legal mandate to vacate the area immediately due to the imminent danger posed by the fire.
“Over 1,000 first responders from multiple agencies remain on scene battling the fire on the ground and in the air. Please heed evacuation orders and warnings,” the Los Angeles County Fire Department wrote on social media.
Firefighters were alerted to the wildfire in Malibu Canyon near South Malibu Canyon Road and Francisco Ranch Road at around 11 p.m. Monday.
FOX Weather reported that the fire became dangerous quickly due to powerful Santa Ana winds, which prompted a Red Flag Warning that remains in effect into Wednesday afternoon.
“The entire fire area remains under threat as long as the current red flag conditions persist,” LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said. “Strong winds and low humidity continue to challenge firefighters on the line and in the air as they struggle to contain this fire.”
At least seven structures have been destroyed in Malibu and at least eight have been damaged as of Tuesday evening, according to the city on X. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The fire also caused Pepperdine University to issue a shelter-in-place order into Wednesday morning, which is when school officials will reevaluate conditions in the community and discuss when it can be lifted.
“Fire activity around Pepperdine’s Malibu campus has greatly diminished as the Franklin Fire has burned through most of the fuel immediately surrounding campus, but some flames are still visible in small pockets of campus.
“Firefighters continue to respond to and put out lingering hot spots and protect structures. Early analysis indicates there has been little to no damage to structures around campus, and no injuries have been reported,” Pepperdine said on X late Tuesday night.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a Fire Management Assistance Grant has been secured through FEMA to “help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the fire burning in Malibu.”
The grant will help local, state and tribal agencies responding to the fire apply for 75% reimbursement of their eligible fire suppression costs.
“Fire officials and first responders are working relentlessly to protect lives and property from the Franklin Fire,” Newsom said. “California is grateful for this federal support, which bolsters these efforts.”
FOX Weather contributed to this report.
