Firefighters are battling a fast-moving wildfire, dubbed the Franklin Fire, near Pepperdine University in Malibu amid strong Santa Ana winds.
It’s unclear exactly how the fire started, but crews with the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to reports of the blaze, located near Malibu Canyon Road and Station Boundary, at around 10:45 p.m.
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The Franklin Fire erupts in the hills of Malibu amidst a Potentially Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning high-wind weather event on Dec. 9. (Sky 5) -
The Franklin Fire erupts in the hills of Malibu amidst a Potentially Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning high-wind weather event on Dec. 9. (Sky 5) -
The Franklin Fire erupts in the hills of Malibu amidst a Potentially Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning high-wind weather event on Dec. 9. (Sky 5) -
Crews are seen attacking the Franklin Fire that erupted in the hills of Malibu amidst a Potentially Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning high-wind weather event on Dec. 9. (RMG News) -
The Franklin Fire erupts in the hills of Malibu amidst a Potentially Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning high-wind weather event on Dec. 9. (RMG News) -
Crews are seen attacking the Franklin Fire that erupted in the hills of Malibu amidst a Potentially Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning high-wind weather event on Dec. 9. (RMG News) -
The Franklin Fire erupts in the hills of Malibu amidst a Potentially Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning high-wind weather event on Dec. 9. (RMG News) -
Initial reports put the fire at 10 acres, though by 11:45 p.m., officials said the wildfire had grown to well over 100 acres, prompting 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, which had likely grown to more than 300 acres, reportedly jumped Malibu Canyon Road just before 1 a.m., creating a dire situation for those in the area.
Students and staff at Pepperdine University, where the power is believed to have been shut off, were told to shelter in place.
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.
In a post to X, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said her office was monitoring the wildfire and praised first responders battling the blaze.
Sky5 is overhead.
This developing story will be updated as additional details become available.
