Smoke from the Franklin Fire Billowed out over the Pacific Ocean. The shot was taken from Ocean Way in Santa Monica Canyon.
Photo: SHARON KILBRIDE
Screenshots of a video shot by a student sheltered in place at Pepperdine. Photo: X
The Franklin Fire, which started as a 10-acre fire around 10:50 p.m. on December 9, near South Malibu Canyon Road and Station Boundary, exploded with the Santa Ana winds. Pepperdine students were sheltered-in-place at the Tyler Campus Center or Payson Library as the fire roared around the campus about 3 a.m.
The fire has burned nearly 2,800 acres with zero containment. The cause is under investigation. Evacuations were in place, and Pacific Coast Highway was closed from Topanga Canyon Boulevard to Corral Canyon Road, except for residents and those evacuating.
Evacuation orders and warnings are in place for about 20,000 residents. Those orders will not be lifted until the red flag warning is lifted on Wednesday.
As the evening approached, meteorologists reported the wind was picking up, that gusts were up to 35 mph in the Malibu area and that humidity remained low, which fueled the fire.
The Franklin Fire has destroyed seven structures in Malibu Canyon and damaged eight additional structures, officials said at a 6 p.m. Tuesday press conference update on the blaze. There are more than 1,500 firefighters and 13 federal, state, and local agencies are actively responding to this incident.
School classes are cancelled in Malibu until December 12
The Los Angeles Unified School District, with schools in Topanga and Pacific Palisades, said schools are open and they are “closely monitoring the Franklin Fire and its potential impact on our communities.”
Pepperdine in-person finals have been suspended. Students were allowed to leave campus and return to their homes, but Pepperdine reactivated the shelter-in-place order at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Yesterday, a Red Flag PDS (particularly dangers situation-extreme fire danger) warning was posted because of the expected Santa Ana winds and the low humidity. In anticipation of the Santa Ana winds, Topanga Blvd. was open only for residents. For updates on County Road closures, visit http://lacounty.pw/roads.
Electricity was turned off for many Malibu and Topanga residents in an effort to prevent fires because of falling power lines caused by the high winds. Southern California Edison reported that there are 11,555 customers in Los Angeles County without power because of the shutoffs. Another 38,051 customers in the county are under consideration for shutoffs. Some Topanga residents evacuated earlier today because they had no power nor internet to let them know what was happening with the fire.
Initially, the Palisades Rec Center was opened as an evacuation center, but has now closed because of lack of heat.
The Red Cross opened an emergency shelter at the Pacific Palisades Rec Center. This editor stopped by around 9 a.m. Tuesday and was told there were several people registered. There are no ADA-handicapped bathrooms or Wi-Fi at this center. It was closed around 6 p.m. when it was discovered there was no heat. The night time temperature is predicted at about 50 degrees.
Those evacuating were told to go to the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Professional Development Learning Center Building (2828 4th St., Santa Monica) and Calabasas Community Center (27040 Malibu Hills Rd., Calabasas).
Pets in travel carriers or pet crates were welcome at the Santa Monica shelter. Those residents going to the Calabasas Center, may take their pets to the Agoura Animal Care Center – Small Animal Shelter (29525 Agoura Rd., Agoura Hills). Large animals and livestock are welcome at Pierce College (6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills).
Red Cross LA is providing emergency shelter, food, water, health and emotional support services to anyone impacted by the fire.
(Editor’s note: As residents read this report, remember to have your emergency bag ready to go in case of evacuations—and note that preparing for your pet should include a carrier or food as part of the emergency supplies. Realize that cellular communication may not be possible. Have a radio to tune into for updates.)
Sue,
The Getty Villa is currently closed through Friday due to concern for their staff ad visitors from the Franklin fire. See the banner at Getty.edu
https://www.getty.edu/visit/center/
Thank you for a full story minus the hysteria. Excellent reporting (as usual) giving all pertinent information in a concise, up-to-date and complete read.
I have one question: During the wee hours, a report declared a fire in Bel Air, as well. Was that accurate? If so, what happened to that fire?
And, a couple of comments. The emergency notifications began hitting my phones within 10 minutes of the fire’s growth. Excellent! And, the efficiency of the many arms of the response was dazzling! Obviously, both of those things saved lives, injuries and many hard-to-reach homes. I’ve been through several fires in the area and this was absolutely amazing, including the photojournalism showing the responders and all their equipment. Wow! Just WOW!!