Malibu Bushfire Escalates, Prompting Widespread Evacuations [WATCH]

A rapidly spreading wildfire in Malibu, dubbed the “Franklin Fire,” has led to mandatory evacuation orders as firefighters work to contain the flames.

The fire, which was first reported around 10:45 p.m. Monday near Malibu Canyon Road and Pepperdine University, has already scorched 1,674 acres with zero containment as of Tuesday morning, according to Cal Fire.

Pepperdine University issued a mandatory shelter-in-place order for its campus community, urging students and staff to remain indoors.

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Videos shared on social media shows students gathered inside a campus library as flames and thick smoke encroach upon the area.

New video of smoke from #FranklinFire from inside Payson Library at Pepperdine @AccuWeatherUGC @wxchanneldesk @NBCLA 2:22am PST pic.twitter.com/KxAB3gLbZ2

— Henry Adams (@henrygadams) December 10, 2024

Pepperdine University students watch the #FranklinFire burn #Malibu from inside the campus’ buildings https://t.co/p8n9vJHVCA pic.twitter.com/nzFTiEFYdT

— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) December 10, 2024

“Despite any evacuation orders from Malibu city or surrounding areas, the University community should follow University instructions,” Pepperdine University posted on social media. “We do not evacuate the campus even when surrounding areas might – this shelter-in-place protocol is approved by LA County Fire and executed with their cooperation.”

The University is now activating its shelter-in-place protocol. All community members on the Malibu campus are directed to shelter in place in the Tyler Campus Center or Payson Library. Despite any evacuation orders from Malibu city or surrounding areas, the University community…

— Pepperdine University (@pepperdine) December 10, 2024

The Los Angeles County Fire Department has issued mandatory evacuation orders for areas east of Malibu Canyon Road and south of Piuma Road, as well as the Serra Retreat neighborhood.

Early Tuesday morning, evacuation orders were extended to include Malibu Pier, Malibu Village Mall, and City Hall due to what officials described as an “immediate threat to life.”

A five-mile stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway has been shut down between Carbon Canyon and Corral Canyon to facilitate emergency response efforts.

Malibu wildfire tears through 1800+ acres pic.twitter.com/p83xtPT3gK

— Karli Bonne’ (@KarluskaP) December 10, 2024

Late Monday night, deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department went door-to-door using loudspeakers to urge residents to evacuate.

The fire, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, has made its way into the Serra Retreat area, putting hundreds of structures at risk.

The National Weather Service reported sustained winds of 45 mph, with gusts reaching up to 65 mph in the region.

In response to the extreme fire conditions, the National Weather Service has issued a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” red flag warning for Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Multiple water-dropping aircraft have been deployed to assist in battling the flames, which have been described as intense and fast-moving.

Despite the efforts, containment remains at zero, and officials have yet to determine the cause of the fire.

As the situation continues to unfold, residents are urged to heed evacuation orders and stay updated on developments through official channels.

Emergency responders are prioritizing public safety and working tirelessly to contain the blaze and protect threatened communities.

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