Homes Destroyed, Thousands Evacuated As Franklin Fire Reaches 3,000 Acres

MALIBU, CA — The Franklin Fire exploded to over 3,000 acres in less than a day, destroying or damaging 15 buildings and making for grueling work for the 1,500 firefighters attacking the blaze. At 0% containment as of late Tuesday, the fire will continue to make for a challenging fight overnight and into Wednesday as crews work against ongoing Santa Ana winds and low humidity.

The blaze broke out before 11 p.m. Monday as a 5-acre brush fire in Malibu Canyon, north of Malibu Crest Road and south of Francisco Ranch Road, near Pepperdine University and the Malibu Civic Center, according to sheriff's officials.

By 8 a.m., the fire exploded to more than 2,200 acres and within 12 hours grew to 3,049 acres — over 7.5 square miles, according to Cal Fire.

From the air, officials counted seven structures that were destroyed in the blaze and another eight that were damaged. Crews will more accurately account for losses Wednesday, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said during a news conference Tuesday night.

Some 700 firefighters were on the scene Tuesday and their numbers more than doubled by nightfall as crews on the ground and air showed up from over a dozen local, state and federal agencies to assist in the effort, Marrone said, and many were set to continue throughout the night.

"The entire fire area remains under threat as long as the current Red Flag conditions persist," Marrone said. "Strong winds and low humidity will continue to challenge firefighters on the line and in the air as they struggle to contain the stubborn fire."

Wind gusts, at times approaching nearly 50 mph, helped fuel the fire Tuesday amid a rare "particularly dangerous situation" Red Flag warning that was in effect from the National Weather Service until 2 p.m. A standard Red Flag warning will remain in place until Wednesday afternoon, when winds are expected to calm.

"The strongest winds have passed, however gusty winds are still expected through Wednesday morning, especially in the mountains," the National Weather Service wrote. "Critical fire weather conditions will continue through Wednesday."

Marrone said earlier Tuesday that "we knew that this event was coming."

"We seem to get one significant wildfire every time we have a strong Santa Ana event in Southern California," he said.

The cause of the fire was unknown but was being probed by arson investigators, Marrone said.

SEE ALSO: Malibu Fire Map: See Franklin Fire Perimeter, Evacuation Areas

More than 2,000 structures were under evacuation orders and another roughly 6,000 were subject to an evacuation warning. Roughly 18,000 people live in the affected area.

"Please follow all evacuation orders," Malibu Mayor Pro Tem Marianne Riggins urged residents. "That is the most important thing."

A local state of emergency was declared in response the fire, according to county Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who said she spoke with Gov. Gavin Newsom around the time he announced that the state had secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from FEMA.

"All levels of government are coordinated — working together to keep people safe, protected and supported during this incredibly difficult time," she said.

Electronic communication remains a challenge in Malibu; almost 25 square miles of the city is without power and therefore without internet or phone service, according to Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart.

Verizon deployed an emergency cell tower at Zuma Beach and standby generators are ready to power traffic lights at key intersections. Additionally, officials had to relocate the city's emergency operations center from City Hall to Calabasas because the municipal building was right in the fire's path, he said.

SEE ALSO: 15 Surreal Photos Show The Franklin Fire Burning In Malibu

A shelter-in-place at nearby Pepperdine University was lifted Tuesday morning, but reinstated beginning at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday "as power remains out," university officials said. "Students should plan to be in a shelter location for the duration of the night."

Monday night into Tuesday morning, about 3,000 students sheltered in place on campus, a few in a library while others, some wearing pajamas, gathered outside on a sports field as fire lit up the night sky.

Dick Van Dyke, one of many celebrities with homes in Malibu, said he and his wife, Arlene Silver, had evacuated as the fire swept in. The actor turns 99 on Friday. “Arlene and I have safely evacuated with our animals except for Bobo escaped as we were leaving,” said Van Dyke, referring to one of their cats. “We’re praying he’ll be OK and that our community in Serra Retreat will survive these terrible fires.”

As the fire continues to burn, Malibu residents surveyed damage to structures. Among those damaged was Webster Elementary school, which suffered "significant damage" to its electrical grid, school officials said.

All public schools in Malibu will be closed Wednesday and Thursday.

As is typical during Red Flag conditions, Southern California Edison advised thousands of customers that they could be subject to power cuts designed to prevent electrical equipment from sparking wildfires during threatening winds.

As of late morning Tuesday, nearly 11,500 SCE customers in Los Angeles County were without power due to the Public Safety Power Shutoff, most of whom were in the fire-impacted Malibu area.

Orders, Warnings And Closures as of Tuesday night

Evacuation orders are in place for areas east of Latigo Canyon, west of Topanga Beach Driveway, and south of Baller Motorway, including the Big Rock and Las Flores Communities.

Evacuation warnings are in place for areas east of Trancas, south of Hidden Highlands Road, and west of Crestline Drive. Residents in these areas should remain ready to evacuate if conditions worsen, officials said.

Road closures:

• Las Virgenes and Lost Hills roads (open only to residents)
• Topanga Canyon Boulevard (open only to residents)
• Pacific Coast Highway between Kanan Dume Road and Topanga Canyon Boulevard is closed to all traffic
• Las Virgenes Road and Mulholland Highway, closed to all traffic.

Shelters include:

• Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, 2802 4th Street, Santa Monica (crated small animals accepted)
• Agoura Animal Care Center, 29525 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills (for small animals)
• Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka Ave, Woodland Hills (for large animals)

A shelter previously open at the Palisades Recreation Center has closed, officials said.

City News Service and the Associated Press contributed to this story.