Franklin Fire Containment Reaches 63% As Firefighters Brace For Santa Ana Winds' Return

MALIBU, CA — A week into the battle against the Franklin Fire, firefighters have made progress as containment of the blaze grew to 63% by Tuesday morning. But now, they're preparing for the return of the Santa Ana winds that fueled the fire's explosive growth into a 4,037-acre wildfire.

Cool weather, higher humidity and a dying-out of strong winds have aided firefighters in their fight most recently. Santa Ana winds are forecast to return to the burn area on Tuesday and Wednesday, when guests of up to 60 mph are expected in some areas.

"Northeast winds will rapidly develop with gusts likely ranging from 40 to 60 mph, strongest in the mountains," the National Weather Service said. "These winds combined with minimum humidity in the 10 to 20% range will very likely lead to critical Red Flag fire weather conditions developing Tuesday afternoon to evening and continuing through Wednesday afternoon."

The Red Flag warning is in effect from 3 p.m. Tuesday through 6 p.m. Wednesday for the Malibu coast, Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area and Calabasas.

Southern California Edison warned it may implement power shutoffs for the Cuthbert, Maguire, Merlin and Serra circuits due to high winds in an effort to prevent its equipment from sparking a fire.

Topanga Canyon Boulevard will be closed concurrently with the Red Flag conditions between Mulholland Drive and Pacific Coast Highway in response to the high fire danger, according to Caltrans.

Otherwise, all road closures were lifted by Sunday night. Officials warned of intermittent closures while restoration work continues.

On Monday, four water-dropping helicopters were assigned to the firefighting effort to douse hot spots in areas of Malibu Canyon too steep for people to work, officials said.

"Fire activity remained minimal with smoldering and creeping in isolated areas within the fire perimeter," Cal Fire said Monday.

"Fire crews will continue to build and strengthen containment lines around the fire," the Cal Fire statement said. "The fire continues to smolder in steep and very dangerous terrain. Aerial suppression efforts in those areas have been successful in keeping the fire subdued."

All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted. At the height of the fire, roughly 20,000 people were under either evacuation orders or warnings.

It broke out before 11 p.m. Dec. 9 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 the next morning, the fire exploded to more than 2,200 acres and within 12 hours grew to 3,049 acres, according to Cal Fire.

Damage inspections have been completed: Officials reported 20 structures were destroyed and another 28 were damaged, according to Cal Fire.

A Local Assistance Center will be open from 10 a.m. to p.m. Tuesday at Malibu City Hall, offering information and resources to residents impacted by the fire.

Webster Elementary School remains closed due to damage the school sustained in the fire. Its students reported to Malibu Elementary School for classes Tuesday while the school is being repaired.

City News Service contributed to this report.