Southern California fire grows to over 3,000 acres in Malibu amid dangerous conditions
A brush fire that broke out on Monday evening in Malibu Canyon has led to mandatory evacuation orders in parts of Southern California, authorities said.
The Franklin Fire began approximately 3 miles north of the Pacific Coastal Highway in Malibu on Monday and has spread to over 3,000 acres with 0% containment.
Some 1,500 firefighters have been deployed to battle the blaze, facing difficult terrain and dangerous Santa Ana wind conditions in the area, which are expected to remain a threat through Wednesday morning.
During a press conference Tuesday night, officials said seven structures were destroyed and eight others were damaged in the blaze.
About 20,000 people were under evacuation orders and warnings. A large swath of the nearby area is without electricity, cell or internet service.
The Franklin Fire was initially estimated at just about 10 acres but it rapidly grew, according to ABC News' Los Angeles station KABC. A high volume of dry brush in the area and strong Santa Ana winds means there is potential for the blaze to continue to spread rapidly.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said during a press conference Tuesday that the cause of the fire remains unknown but arson is being investigated as a possible cause.
"The L.A. County Fire Department and the L.A. County Sheriff's Department are going to join forces with our arson investigators because it's going to be critical that we learn why this fire started," he said.
Evacuations were ordered in the area east of Malibu Canyon Road and south of Piuma Road as well as the Serra Retreat, KABC said.
The fire's flames were visible overnight from Pepperdine University's campus, where classes and finals were canceled on Tuesday. Students were sheltering in place in two campus buildings where food, water and power were being provided, according to a notice from the university.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
