An aggressive wildfire, designated the Franklin Fire, is ripping through an estimated 2,200 acres in the regions surrounding Malibu, including territory adjacent to Pepperdine University. Mandatory evacuations have been enacted for areas east of Malibu Canyon Road, south of Piuma Road, and the neighborhood known as Serra Retreat, as reported by NBC Los Angeles. The situation remains dynamic and precarious, as California combats yet another potentially devastating fire season.
As firefighters wage their battle against the blaze amid gusts reaching up to 65 mph, roads have been shut down, including the Pacific Coast Highway between Topanga Canyon Blvd and Corral Canyon Road, to accommodate evacuations and emergency vehicles. Currently, no containment has been reported, and the fire has prompted the closure of all schools in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District as per the information from FOX 11. Pepperdine University has suspended normal operations for Tuesday, issuing a shelter-in-place order for those present on campus; the Tyler Campus Center and Payson Library have been designated as the shelters. In a social media post, the university urged, "Despite any evacuation orders from Malibu city or surrounding areas, the University community should follow University instructions."
After assessing campus conditions at daybreak, the university is lifting the shelter-in-place protocol. Campus conditions are safe for members of the community to return to student residences and on-campus homes. The community is strongly encouraged to remain on campus and stay…
— Pepperdine University (@pepperdine) December 10, 2024
The Santa Ana winds fueling the fire are part of a red flag warning covering various parts of Los Angeles County, including the San Gabriel Mountains, the Santa Monica Mountains, and the Malibu coast. FOX 11 meteorologist Maria Quiban described the conditions of dry brush, challenging terrain, and strong winds as the "perfect recipe" for the rapid spread of wildfire. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, alongside fire crews, has been undertaking door-to-door evacuations. The night air filled with the cries of deputies alerting residents over bullhorns, in an engagement with nature's wrath all too familiar to Californians.
Evacuation information and updates are available through LA County Public Works and the CBS Los Angeles website, including a real-time map of orders and warnings for residents. For those requiring refuge, the Palisades Recreation Center and Pierce College in Woodland Hills have been established as evacuation sites for residents and large animals, respectively. Southern California Edison has also enacted preemptive power shut-offs in parts that are trying to contain the fire's impact, as properties along Malibu Knolls Road and Sweetwater Canyon are already reportedly impacted.
Governor Gavin Newsom's office released a statement Tuesday morning, saying, "California has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from FEMA to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the fire." The grant aims to alleviate the financial burden of the ongoing emergency response. LA Mayor Karen Bass' office is also in full alert mode, monitoring the situation closely and guiding Angelenos to heed the advice of public safety officials.
