MALIBU, Calif. — On Thursday, over 3,700 residents were permitted to return to their homes in Malibu as firefighters made significant progress against the ongoing Franklin Fire, aided by calmer winds and increased humidity in the Southern California region. Earlier this week, the fire had compelled thousands, including students and high-profile individuals, to evacuate their residences.
However, around 1,600 residents in Malibu remained under evacuation orders. In total, nearly 20,000 residents across the city and adjacent areas experienced mandatory evacuation orders and alerts since the fire ignited late Monday. As of Thursday, the Franklin Fire had only reached 20% containment, burning through approximately 6.3 square miles, and despite the improved weather conditions, fire crews were still hard at work combatting the flames.
The strong winds that initially fueled the fire early in the week raised concerns, but meteorologists announced the cancellation of all red flag warnings as the conditions improved significantly. Meteorologist Mike Wofford from the National Weather Service’s Los Angeles office projected continuing improvements, including a sea breeze that would raise humidity levels in the fire-affected zone. “Generally, things are getting better,” he stated on Thursday.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Officials reported that four homes have been completely destroyed, while at least six additional residences sustained damage; however, damage assessments have only been completed for around 25% of the impacted areas, according to Deputy Chief Eleni Pappas of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Malibu’s Mayor Doug Stewart described the incident as a tragedy that extends beyond just the loss of homes, highlighting that local restaurants lost food supplies due to power outages and those employed in the area are now jobless. The mandatory evacuation orders were lifted by the county sheriff’s department, allowing the 3,700 residents to return home.
The fire came dangerously close to Pepperdine University, forcing students to stay on campus initially on Monday and Tuesday. Fortunately, an early evaluation indicated minimal to no structural damage on campus. Consequently, the university postponed or canceled final exams as faculty members worked to ensure the semester, which concludes this week, is completed in a timely fashion.
One affected resident, Lonnie Vidaurri, evacuated to a Santa Monica hotel with his family while his home in Malibu Knolls was compromised. “It’s pretty torched all around,” he commented, expressing grief over the likely loss of their pet bunnies and many possessions. Despite this loss, he noted, “My girls cried, obviously, but it could have been worse.”
At a nearby shelter in Pacific Palisades, Red Cross representative Mimi Teller mentioned that many evacuees arrived in pajamas, clearly shaken. “Nobody even had a backpack; it was just ‘Get out now,’” she stated.
Additionally, celebrities such as Cher and Jane Seymour reported evacuating from their Malibu homes. Cher was staying at a hotel, as confirmed by her publicist, while Seymour took to Instagram to reflect on the devastating reality of the wildfires. Dick Van Dyke shared his evacuation experience, detailing how he and his wife received assistance from neighbors while fleeing the flames.
The Franklin Fire ignited shortly before 11 p.m. on Monday, rapidly advancing southward, crossing the Pacific Coast Highway, and reaching the ocean. Driven by Santa Ana winds that featured unpredictable gusts exceeding 40 mph, the fire’s growth was expedited. These winds, known for transporting dry air towards coastal regions, often hinder moist ocean breezes, thereby exacerbating fire conditions.
Utilities proactively interrupted power to tens of thousands of households and businesses starting Monday night to prevent damage from the Santa Ana winds, which are known to create hazardous conditions. Fortunately, as of Thursday morning, power had been fully restored to all Southern California Edison customers. In light of the past Woolsey Fire in 2018, which led to three fatalities and the destruction of 1,600 homes attributed to Edison equipment, utility spokesperson Gabriela Ornelas redirected inquiries about the cause of the Franklin Fire to fire officials.
