A large wildfire is burning in Malibu Canyon near Pepperdine University, prompting evacuations of residents.
The fire, dubbed the Franklin Fire, was first reported just after 10:45 p.m. near S. Malibu Canyon Road and Station Boundary just south of the Piuma area, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
KCAL News
According to Cal Fire, the fire has already destroyed 1,674 acres. Although officials have not released specific numbers on the number of buildings torched, witnesses and firefighters told KCAL News that some homes have been destroyed.
Just before 1 a.m., the flames crept over the top of the hill as strong winds fueled their rapid spread toward Pepperdine. At 3 a.m., the Franklin Fire spread south on the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu Road, near Webb Way. It entered the Malibu Pier area and threatened some nearby structures near Malibu Knolls Road and Sweetwater Canyon.
Multiple water drop aircraft were called to the scene as crews considered the fire a third alarm incident.
It is unclear how the fire started.
Evacuations
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies were evacuating residents living in zone MAL-C112, which includes the area east of Malibu Canyon Road and south of Piuma Road, as well as the Serra Retreat. More information about evacuations is available on the City of Malibu website.
“We are safe. All retreats have been safely evacuated,” the Serra Retreat Center said. “It appears the fire is on the grounds of the retreat center, but there are several fire engines there. Hopefully they can contain the fire.”
Below is a real-time map of evacuation orders and warnings.
A temporary evacuation center was opened as the Palisades Recreation Center, located at 851 Alma Real Drive. Large animals could be taken to Pierce College in Winnetka.
Pacific Coast Highway is closed, except for evacuations, between Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Corral Canyon Road.
Fire approaches Pepperdine University
Pepperdine school officials released a statement saying they were closely monitoring the fire.
“The fire is not currently affecting any university campuses,” the statement said. “The Malibu Campus and surrounding area may experience power outages as a result of this incident.”
KCAL News
However, at 1:10 a.m., the fire continued to creep closer to the university, forcing the administration to issue a shelter-in-place order.
“All community members on the Malibu campus are instructed to shelter in place at the Tyler Campus Center or the Payson Library,” the administration wrote on community to follow the university’s instructions. “
The government stated that their “protocol has been approved by LA County Fire and is being implemented with their cooperation.”
Pepperdine canceled all classes and finals for Tuesday after the fire.
“Normal activities on the Malibu Campus were suspended on Tuesday. This includes canceling classes and finals for that day,” the university tweeted.
The worst of the fire pushed past Pepperdine at 3:30 a.m., but some smaller fires continued to burn around campus. The government said the hotspots posed no threat to structures or lives.
“Additionally, power remains out in much of Malibu and therefore, to ensure the safety of our community, we will maintain the shelter-in-place protocol until at least daylight,” the university wrote on The EOC will continue to update the community.”
Red flag warning
Weather officials was concerned about the fire hazard that would affect most of Southern California to pave the way. Unusually low humidity combined with a powerful Santa Ana wind movement created dangerous conditions, leading them to issue a “red flag warning for a particularly dangerous situation.”
In response, SoCal Edison has warned tens of thousands of Los Angeles County residents that their service could be shut down if winds intensify.
The conditions were similar to the weather at that time A mountain fire broke out in Ventura County early November. That fire burned nearly 20,000 acres and destroyed more than 200 structures.
This is a development story. Check back for more information.
