A wildfire that has been exacerbated by strong winds was burning near Los Angeles on Tuesday, prompting evacuation orders for some Malibu residents as it threatened structures, disrupted power, and led to road closures in the area. The ensuing blaze, named the Franklin Fire, escalated dramatically throughout the night, growing from five acres to approximately 2,713 acres in size across the mountainous landscape. As of now, the fire is completely uncontained.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone indicated that while a handful of homes have been destroyed, no injuries or fatalities have been reported. To combat this growing threat, Marrone announced a robust firefighting effort comprised of 1,000 firefighters, complemented by aerial as well as ground strategies. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
According to LA County Sheriff Robert Luna, approximately 2,043 structures were under evacuation orders, with an additional 6,046 receiving evacuation warnings. Among those evacuating was nearly 99-year-old actor Dick Van Dyke, who expressed his hopes for the survival of his community on social media.
Malibu resident Fred Roberts shared his concerns after witnessing the devastation, characterizing the winds in Malibu Canyon as ferocious and reminiscent of a “blowtorch.” In a proactive response, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the acquisition of federal resources from FEMA to aid in fire suppression efforts.
To keep the community informed, emergency services diligently went door-to-door to alert residents, while the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning due to the high fire danger index, predicting Santa Ana wind gusts could reach 65 miles per hour. This warning is expected to remain in effect through Wednesday, although the winds are anticipated to diminish.
In a positive turn, Pepperdine University in Malibu lifted its shelter-in-place order, allowing students to return to their residences. President Jim Gash reassured the community that the campus is designed with fire safety in mind, reporting minimal damage and no injuries among students and staff.
As the community faces this challenging situation, the collective effort of firefighters, local officials, and residents showcases resilience and hope for recovery and safety.
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