A fast-moving wildfire tore through Malibu late Monday, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, forcing thousands to evacuate and threatening luxury homes and Pepperdine University. Students watched in shock as flames raced down hillsides, turning the sky a deep red.
Homes Burned and Thousands at Risk
Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony C. Marrone reported that a “minimal number” of homes burned, though the exact count remains unclear. More than 8,100 structures were under threat, with 2,000 homes under mandatory evacuation and 6,000 people warned to be ready to flee.
An Associated Press photographer captured images of at least one house and a car engulfed in flames, as erratic winds with gusts up to 40 mph (64 kph) hampered firefighting efforts.
Pepperdine University Shelters Students
Pepperdine University implemented a shelter-in-place order as flames approached its campus. About 3,000 students gathered in libraries and on sports fields, many still in pajamas, as fire lit up the night sky. Resident assistant Ryan Song described rushing door-to-door evacuating students, saying, “Seeing the fire rampaging down the hill is obviously scary, but I felt like our staff was prepared.”
By morning, the worst of the fire had passed the campus, though smaller spot fires remained. Pepperdine spokesperson Michael Friel confirmed that parts of the campus were “singed,” but there was no major damage.
A Race Against Time
The fire, named the Franklin Fire, erupted around 11 p.m. Monday, quickly spreading south and jumping the iconic Pacific Coast Highway to reach the ocean. At one point, flames threatened the historic Malibu Pier, though it was ultimately spared.
Firefighters, numbering over a thousand, worked tirelessly through rugged terrain to contain the blaze before wind gusts—forecast to reach up to 65 mph (105 kph) later Tuesday—could worsen conditions.
Residents Flee as Fire Approaches
Nick Smyth, a resident of the Serra Retreat community near Malibu Pier, recounted waking to neighbors shouting about the fire. With flames “lapping the tops of the mountains,” he bundled his children and fled. “My son’s got a little bit of shellshock,” Smyth said. While he believes his home was spared, others weren’t as fortunate.
Evacuees included residents on foot with horses, as firefighters worked to protect canyon homes overnight.
Power Outages and Dangerous Winds
Southern California Edison preemptively cut power to about 40,000 customers, including 11,000 in Los Angeles County, to prevent electrical equipment from sparking additional fires. Gabriela Ornelas, an Edison spokesperson, confirmed that most of Malibu lost power by early Monday evening.
The wildfire evoked memories of the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which devastated Malibu, killing three people and destroying 1,600 homes. That fire was later traced to Edison equipment.
No Containment Yet as Firefighters Battle On
By Tuesday morning, the Franklin Fire had consumed over 3.5 square miles (9 square kilometers) of dry brush and trees, with no containment reported. Fire officials emphasized the urgency of gaining control before afternoon winds reignited the fire’s intensity.
With conditions remaining volatile, residents and emergency crews brace for what could be another devastating chapter in Malibu’s history with wildfires
