A seemingly minor brush fire in Malibu has rapidly expanded to over 2,200 acres, prompting swift evacuations and a shelter-in-place order for Pepperdine University students.
The fire, officially dubbed the Franklin Fire, initially began late on a Monday night within the Malibu Canyon region. Fueled by severe Santa Ana winds and extremely dry conditions, which are prevalent due to red flag warnings in Southern California, the fire grew uncontrollably. By late Tuesday morning, it had spread to nearly 2,600 acres with no containment in sight, according to updates from CalFire and the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The blaze’s rapid advance saw it crossing Malibu Canyon Road shortly before 1 a.m., eventually spreading towards the Malibu Pier, a popular local landmark. In immediate response, Pepperdine University, which lies in close proximity to the inferno, issued an emergency shelter-in-place order around 1 a.m. This directive required students to take refuge at the Tyler Campus Center and the Payson Library. The shelter order was lifted after 7 a.m., yet officials remain vigilant, indicating a possibility of reinstating the order should conditions deteriorate further.
Students captured videos showing vivid red flames encroaching on the campus perimeter, emphasizing the gravity of the threat. Despite external evacuation orders from Malibu city and surrounding areas, Pepperdine University emphasized that its own protocols, sanctioned by the LA County Fire, take precedence, and the campus is not evacuated even when neighboring regions might be. “Despite any evacuation orders from Malibu city or surrounding areas, the University community should follow University instructions,” the university stated on social media.
Even though the immediate danger on campus has lessened, the university has advised students and staff to remain onsite as many surrounding roads have been blocked off and are being utilized by emergency services to combat the blaze. Around 2:30 a.m., city officials in Malibu issued a mandatory evacuation for areas ranging from Tuna Canyon to Puerco Canyon. Additional evacuations were mandated east of Malibu Canyon Road, south of Piuma Road, and within the Serra Retreat vicinity. The Palisades Recreation Center is currently serving as an evacuation center.
Presently, a significant portion of the affected area is without electricity as firefighters strive to gain control over the evolving situation. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported thus far. The exact cause of the fire remains undetermined as investigations continue.
The Malibu wildfire serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities communities face in the wake of natural disasters. With the Franklin Fire still posing a threat, authorities remain on high alert to safeguard residents and control the situation. The incident underscores the need for preparedness and timely action in the face of such emergencies.
Source: Abcactionnews
