Flames burned near Pepperdine University and forced thousands in the coastal city to evacuate.
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.
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.
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
Evacuation warnings
MAP: Franklin Fire in Malibu evacuations
Road closures
Soft closures: Open only to residents with identification
Hard closures:
Related story: Malibu fire road closures
Evacuation centers
The Franklin Fire in Malibu remains at 4,037 acres, but Cal Fire officials said on Thursday that containment has increased to 30%.
After assessing the damage, so far, officials say a total of nine structures have been destroyed, which includes four homes and five smaller structures, like sheds.
Southern California Edison announced power has been restored to customers and traffic signals are working again.
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
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.
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.
