A fast-moving wildfire has scorched 4,000 acres in Malibu, forcing 20,000 residents to flee as flames advanced on homes, horse farms and Pepperdine University.
The Franklin Fire, yet another late-year wildfire fanned by fierce Santa Ana winds, has left a trail of destruction as officials confirmed seven structures destroyed and nine damaged.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Meteorologists warned that even though the strongest winds in the area have passed, high fire dangers have decreased. That should aid efforts to contain the fire.
Evacuations have displaced thousands of residents, including celebrities such as Dick Van Dyke and Cher.
Malibu mayor Doug Stewart called it a “traumatic 20 hours” for the city, as emergency operations relocated to Calabasas after the city hall was threatened.
“It burns, it grows back, and we’re resilient,” Stewart said.
More than 1,500 firefighters are battling the blaze with many roads closed and others under security patrols.
At Pepperdine University, 3,000 students sheltered in place as smoke and embers engulfed the campus. “Ash was everywhere, embers were everywhere,” said a student, Bethany Kronlund.
Malibu resident says he was surrounded by fire
Malibu resident Alec Gellis described the moment he was surrounded by flames from the Franklin Fire at his home.
“I thought I was going to have to drive through a ring of fire just to get out of here,” he told Newsweek.
Julia Musto12 December 2024 08:00
Malibu resident says Franklin Fire hit area ‘hard’
A Malibu resident is recalling the moment he thought the Franklin Fire might not be a “big deal.”
“I was going back to check on their homes and I was actually thinking that it was going to be no big deal,” Malibu resident Fred Roberts told Reuters.
“But, after I’ve seen this one and that one there burnt, I know this is the real deal,” he said. “And it did hit here hard.”
Julia Musto12 December 2024 07:00
Malibu restaurant owner recalls scary moment during Franklin Fire
A restaurant owner is speaking out after the Franklin Fire came without a quarter mile of his business early Wednesday.
Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from reaching Malibu Seafood Fresh Market and Patio Cafe.
“That still was a bit too close for comfort,” John Christensen told USA TODAY.
“This place is like a cat, it has nine lives, and is still here,” Christensen said, referring to his restaurant. “We love it here.”
Julia Musto12 December 2024 04:00
Dick Van Dyke faces tragic loss amid Malibu wildfire evacuations: ‘We’re praying’
Julia Musto12 December 2024 03:00
Malibu resident speaks out after his home is destroyed in the Franklin Fire
A Malibu resident is speaking out after his home was destroyed in the Franklin Fire.
His four-bedroom home was located in the Malibu Knolls neighborhood and was one of seven that had been destroyed.
Vidaurri, his wife, and two young daughters evacuated to a hotel in Santa Monica.
He expects that the family’s pet bunnies did not survive the fire, and that they lost most of their things.
“My girls cried, obviously, but it could have been worse.”
Julia Musto12 December 2024 02:00
Pepperdine University shares video of wooden cross still standing on hills above campus
It was later replaced by brothers of the Sigma Chi fraternity.
They carried the cross in pieces up the hill in honor of Seaver College student Alaina Housley, who was killed in the shooting at the Thousand Oaks-based Borderline Bar and Grill.
Julia Musto12 December 2024 01:00
Red flag warning expires on the Malibu coast
A red flag warning that was scheduled to extend into Wednesday afternoon has been canceled.
Winds decreased earlier than expected, according to KTLA.
Other red flag warnings that were scheduled to expire Wednesday evening also were canceled.
Julia Musto12 December 2024 00:00
