The Franklin Fire continues to smolder in “very dangerous” terrain in Malibu, but cooler conditions this weekend are set to make the firefight easier, officials say.
After minimal growth on Friday, the Franklin Fire stood at 4,037 acres since breaking out on Malibu Canyon Road near Malibu Creek State Park late Monday night, according to CalFire. It is 35% contained.
Evacuation orders and warnings were quickly issued 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.
A total of 19 structures have been destroyed with a further 23 damaged, officials said Saturday morning. In an update, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department elaborated that of the 19 destroyed structures, eight of them were single-family dwellings and 11 are outbuildings.
Of the 23 damaged structures, 14 are single-family dwellings, one is a multi-family dwelling, four commercial buildings and four outbuildings.
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Firefighters work as the Franklin Fire burns near a building on December 10, 2024 in Malibu, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) -
A vehicle burns during the Franklin Fire on the campus of Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) -
The Franklin Fire grows to over 1,600 acres as of 3:45 a.m. Dec. 10 in the hills of Malibu amidst a Potentially Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning high-wind weather event. (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) -
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) -
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) -
Firefighters battle the Franklin Fire in Malibu, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) -
Sky5 view of the Franklin Fire in Malibu on Dec. 10, 2024. (KTLA) -
This satellite images provided by Maxar Technologies shows smoke rising from the Franklin Fire in Malibu, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. (Maxar Technologies via AP) -
Smoke rises over Malibu as the Franklin Fire burns on Dec. 10, 2024. Photo taken at 7:27 a.m. (AlertCalifornia)
Over 1,700 firefighters have been assigned to the incident, and they were able to gain some containment late this week after a period of rapid wind-driven growth on Tuesday.
More containment should be reached this weekend as favorable weather conditions remain in the area, CalFire says.
“The fire continues to smolder in steep and very dangerous terrain…aerial suppression efforts in those areas have been successful in keeping the fire subdued,” officials stated in a status update released at 5:50 a.m. Saturday. “Cooler weather, higher humidities and the absence of strong winds have assisted firefighting efforts.”
What caused the fire has yet to be determined.
The latest information on the Franklin Fire can be viewed here.
