A large brush fire is burning in Malibu Canyon near Pepperdine University, prompting some evacuations for residents.
The fire, named the Franklin Fire, was first reported shortly after 10:45 p.m. near S. Malibu Canyon Road and the station boundary south of the Piuma area, according to the Department of Los Angeles County Fire Department.
KCAL News
At 23:45, crews reported that the fire had already affected about 100 hectares. Although no structures were damaged, some were threatened, according to firefighters.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies were working to evacuate residents living in the MAL-C112 area, which includes the area east of Malibu Canyon Road and south of Piuma Road, as well as the Serra Retreat. More information on evacuations is available at City of Malibu website.
Several water-dropping aircraft were called to the scene as crews deemed the fire a third-alarm incident.
It is not clear how the fire started.
California Highway Patrol officers closed Malibu Canyon from Mulholland Drive to Pacific Coast Highway as the fire continued.
Pepperdine school officials issued a statement to note that they were closely monitoring the fire.
“The fire is not currently affecting any university campus,” the statement said. “The Malibu campus and local area may experience some power outages related to this incident.”
KCAL News
Meteorological officials expressed concern about the fire hazard this would affect most of southern california to begin with. Unusually low humidity combined with a powerful Movement of the Santa Ana winds created hazardous conditions, prompting them to issue a “red flag warning of a particularly hazardous situation.”
In response, SoCal Edison has already warned tens of thousands of residents living throughout Los Angeles County that their service could be shut down if the winds intensify.
The conditions had similarities with the time when the A wildfire broke out in Ventura County at the beginning of November. The fire burned nearly 20,000 acres and destroyed more than 200 structures.
This is a developing story. Check back for details.