A rapidly-growing wildfire prompted mandatory evacuation in Malibu and a shelter-in-place order at the nearby Pepperdine University, California, as windy conditions caused it to triple in size within just one hour early on Tuesday.
Firefighters battle the Franklin Fire in Malibu, Calif.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s live tracker, the Franklin Fire began on Monday night and has now swelled to cover around 1,822 acres of area in Los Angeles county.
City officials issued mandatory evacuation orders, which covered nearly all of Malibu’s eastern half, while the rest of the city also remained under evacuation warnings.
The fire prompted the nearby Pepperdine University to issue a shelter-in-place order for campus residents, which will remain active until daylight due to most of Malibu facing a power outage.
The wildfire’s spread has been accelerated by the so-called Santa Ana “devil winds,” fast moving winds that affect the coastal regions of Southern California.
National Weather Service’s Los Angeles Office forecast north to northeast winds in the area with speeds of 30 to 40 miles per hour with gusts up to 65 mph.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said her office was monitoring the fire as she urged people to follow public safety orders.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
Citing LA County Fire officials, the Los Angeles Times reported that 6,000 residents have received mandatory evacuation orders in Malibu so far, more than half of the city’s population of 11,000 people. Around 2,000 structures in the city have been impacted by the order.
93 mph. That is the speed of the strongest Santa Ana wind gusts reported early on Tuesday, according to NWS Los Angeles.
A firefighter sprays water on a home as it burns in the Franklin Fire in Malibu.
The Franklin fire now covers around 1,800 acres, after growing rapidly overnight.
A mandatory evacuation order covering nearly all of eastern Malibu was issued early on Tuesday.
More than 6,000 people have been evacuated from Malibu so far.
Students at the nearby Pepperdine University were ordered to shelter in place.
A home burns in the Franklin Fire in Malibu.
The fast moving winds caused the Malibu Fire to triple in size in just one hour.
Most of Malibu ordered to evacuate as Franklin fire leaps in size (Los Angeles Times)
A brushfire in Malibu prompts evacuations as it burns near Pepperdine University (Associated Press)