Southern California fire grows to over 3,000 acres in Malibu amid dangerous conditions

Authorities are trying to control the “rapid rate of spread.”

December 10, 2024, 11:24 PM

A brush fire that broke out on Monday evening in Malibu Canyon has led to mandatory evacuation orders in parts of Southern California, authorities said.

The Franklin Fire began approximately 3 miles north of the Pacific Coastal Highway in Malibu on Monday and has spread to over 3,000 acres with 0% containment.

PHOTO: Franklin Fire Spreads Quickly 5 Miles North Of Downtown Malibu
Firefighters monitor a mountainside burns as the Franklin Fire grows on December 10, 2024 near Malibu, California. The wildfire has scorched over 2800 acres near Pepperdine University prompting evacuations along the coast amid high winds with some homes destroyed.
Apu Gomes/Getty Images

Some 1,500 firefighters have been deployed to battle the blaze, facing difficult terrain and dangerous Santa Ana wind conditions in the area, which are expected to remain a threat through Wednesday morning.

During a press conference Tuesday night, officials said seven structures were destroyed and eight others were damaged in the blaze.

About 20,000 people were under evacuation orders and warnings. A large swath of the nearby area is without electricity, cell or internet service.

PHOTO: Franklin Fire Spreads Quickly 5 Miles North Of Downtown Malibu
A firefighter pulls a water hose as the Franklin Fire burns palm trees on December 10, 2024 n Malibu, California. The wildfire has scorched 1,800 acres near Pepperdine University prompting evacuations along the coast amid high winds with some structures destroyed.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

The Franklin Fire was initially estimated at just about 10 acres but it rapidly grew, according to ABC News' Los Angeles station KABC. A high volume of dry brush in the area and strong Santa Ana winds means there is potential for the blaze to continue to spread rapidly.

PHOTO: Franklin Fire Spreads Quickly 5 Miles North Of Downtown Malibu
A home destroyed in the Franklin Fire continues to burn on December 10, 2024 in Malibu, California. The wildfire has scorched 2,200 acres near Pepperdine University prompting evacuations along the coast amid high winds with some homes destroyed.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said during a press conference Tuesday that the cause of the fire remains unknown but arson is being investigated as a possible cause.

"The L.A. County Fire Department and the L.A. County Sheriff's Department are going to join forces with our arson investigators because it's going to be critical that we learn why this fire started," he said.

Evacuations were ordered in the area east of Malibu Canyon Road and south of Piuma Road as well as the Serra Retreat, KABC said.

PHOTO: US-ENVIRONMENT-FIRE-MALIBU
Thick smoke from the Franklin fire looms over northern Malibu, California on December 10, 2024. A ferocious fire tore through Malibu, California, on December 10, destroying homes and forcing thousands to evacuate one of the most sought-after areas in the United States.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

The fire's flames were visible overnight from Pepperdine University's campus, where classes and finals were canceled on Tuesday. Students were sheltering in place in two campus buildings where food, water and power were being provided, according to a notice from the university.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

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