Franklin Fire in Malibu Grows to Over 1,600 Acres, Forcing Evacuations and Threatening Pepperdine University

Dec 10, 2024, 10:45 AM

A fast-moving brush fire named the Franklin Fire erupted late Monday night in Malibu, California, near Malibu Canyon Road and Fransisco Ranch Road. Fueled by strong Santa Ana winds with gusts of 30 to 65 mph, the fire rapidly grew from 10 acres to over 1,600 acres within hours, burning to the east and moving towards the top of Piuma. The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded with ground crews and helicopters, including LACoFD Copters 14, 15, and 17, issuing mandatory evacuation orders east of Malibu Canyon Road and south of Piuma Road, including the Serra Retreat area where some structures have been consumed by flames. Flames jumped Malibu Canyon Road and Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), which was closed between Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Corral Canyon Road. Evacuation orders were extended from Tuna Canyon to Puerco Canyon, with evacuation warnings for areas from Puerco Canyon to Trancas Canyon. Pepperdine University, located near the fire, activated a shelter-in-place protocol for students and staff, canceled classes and final exams for Tuesday, as students posted videos showing flames approaching the campus. Over 2,000 homes were under mandatory evacuation orders, with another 6,000 homes under evacuation warnings. No injuries have been reported so far.