A wildfire intensified by strong winds erupted on Tuesday just northwest of Los Angeles, prompting mandatory evacuations in Malibu as the flames threatened homes, disrupted power, and closed several roads in the coastal area.
The fire, known as the Franklin Fire, surged from five acres to an alarming 2,713 acres overnight, rapidly spreading across the steep terrain and crossing the Pacific Coast Highway in the scenic community of around 10,000 residents. As of now, the fire remains completely uncontained and has caused some structural damage, though fortunately, there have been no reported injuries or fatalities, according to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.
In an effort to control the blaze, a coordinated aerial and ground response is underway, with an additional 300 firefighters joining the existing 700 personnel on site. Marrone stressed the urgency of the situation due to the unique challenges posed by the terrain. The cause of the wildfire is still under investigation.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s officials reported that over 2,000 homes have been evacuated, with many more under evacuation warnings. Among those evacuated was renowned actor Dick Van Dyke, who shared concerns for his community through social media. Local resident Fred Roberts expressed his initial disbelief and growing concern upon witnessing the fire’s devastation.
Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed that California has secured a grant from FEMA to bolster firefighting efforts. Authorities have been actively notifying residents while also closing roads to manage the situation as the fire continues to spread.
In light of the heightened danger, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for the region, with anticipated wind gusts reaching 65 miles per hour. Though the warning will remain in force through Wednesday, a decrease in wind strength is expected.
On a positive note, Pepperdine University in Malibu managed to lift its shelter-in-place protocol, allowing students to return to their residences after maintaining safety measures overnight. The university’s president reassured the community about the campus’s preparedness for such emergencies, as they reported minimal damage and no injuries among students and staff.
As firefighters and community members rally together, there remains a resilient spirit among Malibu residents, with hopes that cooperation and containment efforts will lead to a swift resolution of this perilous situation.
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