A wildfire that broke out Monday evening in Malibu Canyon has led to mandatory evacuation orders in parts of Southern California, authorities said.

The Franklin Fire started Monday about 3 miles north of the Pacific Coastal Highway in Malibu and has spread to over 3,000 acres with 0% containment.

Around 1,500 firefighters are deployed to fight the fire. They face difficult terrain and dangerous Santa Ana wind conditions in the region, which are expected to remain a threat through Wednesday morning.

During a news conference Tuesday evening, officials said seven buildings were destroyed and eight others were damaged in the fire.

About 20,000 people were under evacuation orders and warnings. A large part of the surrounding area is without electricity, cell phones or internet.

The Franklin Fire was initially estimated to be only about 10 acres in size, but quickly grew, according to ABC News station KABC in Los Angeles. Due to the area’s high drought density and strong Santa Ana winds, there is a possibility that the fire will continue to spread rapidly.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said during a news conference Tuesday that the cause of the fire remains unknown, but arson is being investigated as a possible cause.

“The LA County Fire Department and the LA County Sheriff’s Department will be working with our fire investigators because it will be critically important that we learn why this fire started,” he said.

Evacuations have been ordered in the area east of Malibu Canyon Road and south of Piuma Road, as well as in Serra Retreat, according to KABC.

Flames from the fire were visible overnight from Pepperdine University’s campus, where classes and final exams were canceled Tuesday. According to a statement from the university, the students were staying in two campus buildings where food, water and electricity were provided.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.