Firefighters in Malibu, near Pepperdine University, were engaged in battling a brushfire early Tuesday amidst dangerous fire conditions caused by the Santa Ana winds prevalent in Southern California. The blaze, dubbed the Franklin Fire, had consumed an estimated 2.6 square miles (6.7 square kilometers) with structures being threatened, as reported by Los Angeles County Fire Department officials.
An evacuation order was issued for approximately 6,000 individuals and over 2,000 structures, according to information provided by fire officials to KABC-TV. Pepperdine University took precautionary measures by canceling classes and finals for the day, along with issuing a shelter-in-place order. The campus was within sight of the flames, prompting the deployment of fire engines and helicopters to combat the fire by dropping water collected from nearby lakes onto the affected areas.
The National Weather Service Los Angeles office forecasted north to northeast winds intensifying to 30 to 40 miles per hour (48 to 64 kph) with gusts reaching up to 65 mph (105 kph). In anticipation of the hazardous conditions, power had been cut off to tens of thousands of residents by Monday night to prevent potential electrical equipment damage and wildfire ignition.
Santa Ana winds, characterized by their dry, warm, and gusty nature, blow from Southern California's interior towards the coast and offshore. These winds are prevalent during the fall, winter, and early spring months. A red flag warning for high fire risk, with a rare 'particularly dangerous situation' (PDS) designation, was issued by the Weather Service for Los Angeles and Ventura counties starting at 8 p.m. Monday through Tuesday.
The L.A. County Fire Department mandated evacuations for residents residing east of Malibu Canyon Road and south of Piuma Road. University officials remained vigilant, closely monitoring the evolving situation to ensure the safety of the campus and its occupants.
