Franklin Fire in Malibu grows to 4,000+ acres with 30% containment after homes destroyed

Flames burned near Pepperdine University and forced thousands in the coastal city to evacuate.

KABC
Last updated: Friday, December 13, 2024 7:46AM GMT
Franklin Fire mandatory evacs downgraded; some allowed to return home
The mandatory evacuation orders for the Franklin Fire were downgraded on Thursday to voluntary evacuation orders, allowing those who evacuated to finally return home.

MALIBU, Calif. (KABC) -- Firefighters are battling a wind-driven brush fire in Malibu that prompted evacuation orders and warnings for much of the city and caused Pepperdine University students to shelter in place on campus for two nights.

The Franklin Fire was reported just before 11 p.m. Monday in the area of Malibu Canyon Road north of Pacific Coast Highway. The blaze has since grown to 4,037 acres and containment stands at 30%.

At least nine structures were reported destroyed and another six damaged as of Wednesday evening. The cause of the fire is unknown.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
KABC
Dec 12, 2024, 5:52 AM

Franklin Fire map shows perimeter, evacuation areas

A real-time map provided by fire officials showed the perimeter and evacuation areas of the massive Franklin Fire.

The map on the Los Angeles County Fire Department website reflected the mandatory evacuation order that covered the area east of Malibu Canyon Road and south of Piuma Road, as well as the Serra Retreat area.

KABC
Dec 12, 2024, 10:20 PM

Malibu fire evacuations, road closures

Fire officials said the voluntary evacuation order area encompassed about 6,000 people and more than 2,000 structures. The evacuation warning area covered 12,500 people and more than 6,000 structures.

Voluntary mandatory evacuations

  • South of Piuma Road, north of the Pacific Ocean coastline, east of Puerco Canyon Road/Corral Canyon Park, west of Los Flores Canyon Road
  • Between the Pacific Ocean coastline and Tuna Canyon Park to the west of Tuna Canyon Road

Evacuation warnings

  • East of Trancas Canyon Road and Kanan Dune Road, west of Topanga Canyon Blvd/Surfview Drive, south of Mulholland Highway, north of Evacuation Order boundary. Includes Topanga Zone 8 and 10

MAP: Franklin Fire in Malibu evacuations

Road closures

Soft closures: Open only to residents with identification

  • Topanga Canyon Road to Pacific Coast Highway
  • Old Topanga Canyon Road at Mulholland Highway to Topanga Canyon

Hard closures:

  • Tuna Canyon at Pacific Coast Highway
  • Kanan at Pacific Coast Highway
  • Saddle Peak at Tuna Canyon
  • Stunt Road at Mulholland Highway
  • Cold Canyon at Piuma Road
  • Piuma Road at Malibu Canyon all the way to Pacific Coast Highway

Related story: Malibu fire road closures

Evacuation centers

  • Calabasas Community Center at 27040 Malibu Hills Rd.
  • Santa Monica Unified School District Facility at 2802 4th St.
  • Large animals: Pierce College: 6201 Winnetka Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91367; and Agoura Animal Care Center in Agoura

Dec 11, 2024, 5:08 PM GMT

Firefighters gain ground on Franklin Fire

Firefighters have managed to gain some ground and get the Franklin Fire 7% contained. The Santa Ana winds that fueled the flames when it started Monday night have significantly weakened, but the dangerously low humidity levels remain a concern.

Firefighters have managed to gain some ground and get the Franklin Fire 7% contained by Wednesday morning.
Dec 11, 2024, 12:53 PM GMT

Franklin Fire grows to more than 3,800 acres

The Franklin Fire in Malibu has scorched 3,893 acres, according to Cal Fire. The fire remains 0% contained and evacuation orders and warnings remain in place.

ByRob Hayes, via
Dec 11, 2024, 6:51 AM GMT

Malibu resident details fireproofing steps that helped protect home from Franklin Fire

As flames from the Franklin Fire ripped through Malibu, some residents were thankful they took extra steps to protect their homes in advance.

Rosie Rains just recently had her trees trimmed and brush cleared from her home's yard. But she had also already taken steps like putting safer pre-burnt wood on her roof and building a firetruck turnaround in her yard.

The result: Her home was spared by the flames.

Not everyone has taken such steps, and that has her worried.

"There are a lot of people up here that don't do that," she said. "You're only as safe as what your neighbors are doing."

A Malibu woman is outlining some of the steps she took in advance that helped protect her home from the Franklin Fire.
KABC
Dec 11, 2024, 5:48 AM GMT

Satellite images show clear view of Malibu blaze, firefighting aircraft

New satellite images show a spectacular vantage point of the Franklin Fire in Malibu.

The satellite images from Maxar Technologies shows firefighting airplanes and helicopters working to protect homes. One image shows a color contrast between areas that have been burned and those that were spared in the fire's path of destruction.

New satellite images from Maxar Technologies show a spectacular vantage point of the Franklin Fire in Malibu.