Officials announced at 8 p.m. Sunday that all road closures and restrictions in the Franklin Fire area, including Malibu Canyon, have been lifted as crews make progress on containing the flames.
“Fire activity remained minimal with smoldering and creeping in isolated areas within the fire perimeter,” fire officials said in a Sunday update.
After a weekend of cooler temperatures, the Franklin Fire remained at 4,037 acres as the containment grew to 49%, according to CAL FIRE.
“We ask that drivers be patient as crews working in the affected areas may have intermittent closures as firefighters and utility crews work diligently to restore roads and neighborhoods,” said the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
A total of 20 structures have been destroyed with a further 28 damaged, officials say.
CAL FIRE says fire crews will continue to build and strengthen containment lines around the fire.
“The fire continues to smolder in steep and very dangerous terrain,” CAL FIRE’s update stated. “Aerial suppression efforts in those areas have been successful in keeping the fire subdued.”
The flames first broke out nearly a week ago in the late hours of Dec. 9, prompting rapid evacuation orders and warnings in Malibu.
Officials issued orders and warnings for several communities on and adjacent to Malibu Canyon Road; however, some residents chose to stay behind and protect their homes and other homes in their neighborhoods.
Pepperdine University, the campus of which is located at Malibu Canyon Road and Pacific Coast Highway, did not evacuate, but local elementary, middle and high schools were closed through the end of the week.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and no injuries have been reported.
