Franklin Fire Containment Reaches 89% Despite Return Of 'Critical Fire Weather'

MALIBU, CA — Despite the return of Santa Ana Winds, firefighters battling the Franklin Fire managed to increase containment of the 4,037-acre blaze to 89% overnight into Wednesday morning.

Cool weather, higher humidity and a dying-out of strong winds have aided firefighters in their fight most recently. Santa Ana winds — which fanned the fire's explosive growth last week — returned Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.

"Overnight, moderate Santa Ana winds with gusts of 30-50 mph and low humidity continued, creating critical fire weather conditions," Cal Fire wrote in a Wednesday morning update.

The winds are expected to peak Wednesday morning and decrease by nightfall, but low humidity will keep a Red Flag warning in effect for the area until 6 p.m, according to the National Weather Service.

On Tuesday, firefighters concentrated on strengthening control lines in steep, rugged terrain, mop-up and patrol around structures and stabilizing fire lines to prevent erosion, according to Cal Fire.

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.

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.