Malibu fire: 18,000 residents forced to evacuate as red flag fire warnings remain in effect
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Malibu fire: 18,000 residents forced to evacuate as red flag fire warnings remain in effect

Posted on by Amelia Pressman



CNN
—

Red flag fire warnings are expected to remain in effect in the Malibu region along Southern California’s coast through Wednesday afternoon after the Franklin Fire, which broke out Monday, forced evacuation orders or warnings for 18,000 residents.

At its peak, the wildfire spread at an alarming rate, consuming an area of ​​more than five football fields per minute and destroying at least seven buildings. Some people face the painful reality of lost homes.

Longtime Malibu resident Fred Roberts expressed concern about the destruction while checking out a friend’s home.

“I remember playing in the front yard of this house with my schoolmates. That’s how long I’ve been here, my whole life,” Roberts told Reuters. “This is a notorious area. The wind blows like a blowtorch straight down Malibu Canyon.”

“This has been a traumatic 20 hours for the city of Malibu,” Mayor Doug Stewart said in a news conference Tuesday. As the fire threatened Malibu City Hall, officials moved emergency operations to Calabasas, he added.

Firefighters work as the Franklin Fire burns near a building on Tuesday in Malibu, California.
Firefighters spray water as the Franklin Fire grows in Malibu, California, on Tuesday.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said during a news conference Tuesday evening that “the entire fire area remains at risk.”

“As long as current alert conditions continue, high winds and low humidity will continue to pose significant challenges for firefighters on the route and in the air as they battle to contain the stubborn fire,” Marrone said.

Fire activity around Pepperdine University’s Malibu campus has subsided, with only small flames remaining as firefighters battle the remaining hot spots, the school alerted at 9:58 p.m. Tuesday. Initial investigations show no structural damage or injuries. The community will remain under protective protocols overnight, with updates in the morning.

The university has canceled all final exams on campus and announced that remaining students will be allowed to leave on Wednesday morning.

While strong winds prevailed late Monday and early Tuesday, conditions began to calm Tuesday evening. The National Weather Service warned that gusty winds are expected to continue through Wednesday morning, particularly in mountainous areas. The weather service has downgraded high wind warnings to warnings.

The silhouette of a firefighting helicopter is silhouetted against the Pacific Ocean as the Franklin Fire continues to burn near Malibu, California, on Tuesday.
Hotshots climb a ridge as a mountainside burns as the Franklin Fire breaks out in Malibu, California on Tuesday.

Here’s the latest:

  • Rapid growth: According to a Cal Fire report as of 9:27 p.m. Tuesday, high winds have fueled the Franklin Fire, which has burned over 3,000 acres with 0% containment. It is 0% contained, according to Los Angeles County Fire and Cal Fire.
  • destruction: Initial assessments suggest at least seven structures were destroyed and eight were damaged, but further evaluation is pending, said Marrone, the Los Angeles County fire chief. No deaths or injuries were reported, the city of Malibu said.
  • The famous residents of Malibu are also among those affected: Actor Dick Van Dyke and his wife Arlene have fled their home with pets in tow, although one of their cats is missing, according to a post on the 99-year-old’s Facebook page. And actor Mark Hamill was placed in lockdown on Tuesday as the fire worsened. “Please stay healthy everyone! I’m not allowed to leave the house, which fits perfectly with my old and reclusive lifestyle,” Hamill posted on Instagram.
  • Weather conditions: Gusty winds are expected to drop below 30 mph by Wednesday afternoon. Dry weather continues with relative humidity below 10%, prompting the weather service to issue warning alerts until 2 p.m. Wednesday. The Storm Prediction Center also has the fire danger level for Southern California at level 1 out of 3 for Wednesday.
  • Thousands are being evacuated: The Los Angeles County Fire Department issued evacuation orders or warnings for about 18,000 residents and 8,100 homes and businesses.
  • school closings: All four Malibu schools — Malibu Elementary, Malibu Middle, Malibu High and Webster Elementary — will remain closed through Thursday, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District announced on social media. School closures also impacted San Diego County due to preemptive power outages and inclement weather, the county Board of Education posted on social media Tuesday.
  • Power outages: Nearly 60,000 customers across California experienced power outages, primarily in San Diego County, where utilities implemented preventive shutdowns. Pepperdine University’s campus in Malibu lost power, with some buildings relying on generator power.

CNN’s Chris Boyette, Lauren Mascarenhas and Elizabeth Wolfe contributed to this report.

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