(KTLA) – Firefighters raced to protect structures as a fast-moving wildfire exploded near Pepperdine University in Malibu amid strong Santa Ana winds Monday evening.
Crews with the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the blaze, dubbed the Franklin Fire, near Malibu Canyon Road and Station Boundary, at around 10:45 p.m.
As of 2 a.m., the fire was mapped at 853 acres with no containment. The cause of the fire was under investigation.
The fast-moving flames prompted mandatory evacuation orders east of Malibu Canyon Road and south of Piuma Road, along with the Serra Retreat area, fire officials said in a post to X, formerly Twitter.
The blaze jumped Malibu Canyon Road just before 1 a.m., creating a dire situation for those in the area. It was not immediately known how many structures were damaged or destroyed.
Students and staff at Pepperdine University were told to shelter in place.
In a 1:09 a.m. X post, Pepperdine University issued the following alert:
“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 should follow University instructions. 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.”
Officials with California Highway Patrol have closed portions of Pacific Coast Highway, from Carbon Canyon to Corral Canyon, so that evacuees have easy access to leave.
Malibu Canyon Road was closed from Mulholland Highway to Pacific Coast Highway.
A large animal evacuation site was opened by city officials at Palisades Recreation Center at 851 Alma Real Dr.
The city of Malibu posted on X at 1:25 a.m., saying “Large animal shelter available at Pierce College in Woodland Hills (6201 Winnetka Ave at Victory Blvd). Brush fire in Malibu Cyn, 3 miles N of PCH.”
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for areas of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties as warm, dry Santa Ana winds produced gusts up to 80 mph.
In a post to X, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said her office was monitoring the wildfire and praised first responders battling the blaze.
