LIVE: Franklin Fire in Malibu grows to 4,000+ acres with 7% containment after homes destroyed

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

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Last updated: Thursday, December 12, 2024 3:33PM GMT
ABC7 Eyewitness News

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 4,035 acres and containment stands at 7%.

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.
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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.

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Dec 11, 2024, 8:37 PM

Malibu fire evacuations, road closures

Fire officials said the 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.

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

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3:11 AM GMT

Franklin Fire destroys 9 structures, damages 6

The Franklin Fire has destroyed nine structures and damaged another six, though only 25% of the area had been surveyed, fire officials said during a press conference Wednesday evening.

The blaze has grown to 4,035 acres with 7% containment. Officials said they are working to reopen roads and lift evacuation orders.

WATCH: Officials provide update on Franklin Fire

The Franklin Fire has destroyed nine structures and damaged another six, fire officials said during a press conference Wednesday evening.

Firefighters had "a lot of success" battling the blaze Wednesday thanks to the improving weather, but it continued to burn in an area of very steep terrain that is difficult to access, CalFire Assistant Chief Dusty Martin said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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1:11 AM GMT

Volunteer fire brigade steps up to protect beloved Malibu community

A group of locals make up the volunteer fire brigade. Dozens of these volunteers don firefighting gear and jump into action whenever their community needs them. They rushed into action when the Franklin Fire took off.

"The entire team feels this is the right thing for us to do. If we don't as citizens step up and take this kind of action who's going to do it for us?" said Brent Woodworth, a member of the brigade.

The fire brigade formed last year to assist the professional firefighters. The brigade is made up of members of the community stepping in to help their neighbors when disaster strikes. Some members are passionate about volunteering even after losing their own homes in fires over the last several years.

"So many of the folks that are on our brigade had survived a personal loss and yet still come back and still want to make the community safer and stronger. It actually increases their level of commitment, and it is very emotional to think about that," Woodworth said.

Eyewitness News talked to Malibu residents who were so thankful to firefighters for saving their homes and also thankful to the volunteers with the fire brigade for doing what they say Americans are known for - helping each other when disaster strikes.

"That's what makes you an American - the ability to step up. You are not getting paid - you are just doing this help other people and when people come together, that's America," said Paul Joseph, a Malibu resident.

The Franklin Fire destroyed just over half a dozen structures and torched thousands of acres.

"When it comes to natural disasters, Mother Nature does not discriminate. Fire doesn't care what political party you are with or your background or anything and therefore it's a great way to bring people together for a common cause to help protect their communities," Woodworth said.

"It's the entire team feels this is the right thing for us to do. If we don't as citizens step up and take this kind of action who's going to do it for us?"
Josh Haskell Image
12:37 AM GMT

Improving weather conditions help firefighters battle Franklin Fire

Malibu residents are seeing better conditions Wednesday as fire crews make progress controlling the Franklin Fire.

The fire grew quickly overnight to more than 4,000 acres but by the afternoon the Santa Ana winds were starting to subside. Cooler, more humid conditions are expected to start Thursday.

Containment was listed at 7% with evacuation orders and warnings still in place impacting about 20,000 residents.

The Santa Ana winds are starting to subside and cooler, humid conditions are arriving soon, helping firefighters in Malibu.

Thanks in part to those changing conditions, firefighters were able to stop the flames from reaching dozens of homes in Corral Canyon. It's now trapped in brush below Corral Canyon Road with help from a line of fire retardant, fire breaks and constant water drops.

"It was concerning going to bed. You look out the window, you literally see the fire flare up and then it disappeared and you think I get a bit of a rest now. Next thing you know it flared up again," said Malibu resident Kurt Bendler. "So it was concerning. But the big difference is the winds this time. The winds aren't coming in hot and heavy so it's manageable."

Corral Canyon was hit hard by the Woolsey Fire in 2018 and some residential lots are still devoid of homes. At the time, some felt the firefighting infrastructure was insufficient but upgrades have been made since then, including the training and equipping of volunteer fire brigades.

Residents also made upgrades to their homes, including adding fire hoses and replacing air vents.

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12:07 AM GMT

Shifting winds to push harmful fire smoke particulates far inland

On Wednesday, an off-shore flow pushed smoke toward the ocean. So far, the air quality concerns have mostly been for the immediate area near the fire zone.

But the winds are expected to shift to an off-shore flow, which is expected to push harmful fine particulates more inland. This is expected to happen on Thursday and will impact areas like Agoura Hills, Calabasas, parts of the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita, Santa Monica and as far east as downtown L.A.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District says these areas can reach the unhealthy for sensitive groups category or even higher. Sensitive groups include people who suffer from asthma, allergies, COPD, heart disease and other chronic conditions.

"The main pollutant in wildfire smoke is fine particle pollution. So these are these microscopic particles that can get really deep into your lungs.

They can cause some pretty serious health effects, especially in people that are in sensitive groups - children, older adults, pregnant women, people with pre-existing heart and lung issues such as asthma or COPD, and also people who spend a lot of time outdoors are particularly susceptible to the health impacts," said Scott Epstein with the South Coast AQMD.

Here are some tips to stay healthy if you are in a smoke zone:

  • Avoid physical activity
  • Remain indoors
  • Run the AC or air purifier

On Wednesday, an off-shore flow pushed smoke from the Franklin Fire toward the ocean. But the winds are expected to shift to an off-shore flow, which is expected to push harmful fine particulates more inland, as far east as downtown L.A.