Residents of the southern California city of Malibu were forced to flee their homes as strong winds and warm weather sparked another wildfire that swept through the region late last year.
The Franklin Fire started shortly before 11 p.m. Monday and has spread to more than 2,200 acres, forcing more than 6,000 people to evacuate their homes. The cause of the brush fire remains under investigation.
As the sun rose over the West Coast, about 700 firefighters were working to put out the blaze.
There were no reports of serious injuries or deaths, and officials said on Tuesday that a “minimum” number of homes had been destroyed. It was unclear how many buildings were burned, but 2,000 buildings were within the evacuation zone.
The fire started around Pepperdine University and is spreading south. School final exams are postponed and all Malibu schools are closed until further notice. The university lifted the shelter-in-place order but said it may have to reinstate it if conditions worsen.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said 150 personnel were assisting with the response.
“The safety of our community members is our top priority,” Luna said.
The red flag warning remains in effect until Wednesday.
Franklin Fire continues to spread amid strong winds
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Officials warn residents to heed warnings as threat persists
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Franklin fire prompts evacuation order, California night sky turns orange
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Governor Gavin Newsom receives federal aid
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See the Franklin Fire in Photos
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Pepperdine University students under shelter-in-place order
Need shelter? Malibu residents can go here
18:10 , Julia Musto
Malibu residents wake up to smoky skies
18:00 , Julia Musto
Firefighters’ trucks were parked at the scene as thick smoke billowed from the Franklin Fire in Malibu, California, on Tuesday. Officials warn residents to heed evacuation orders (Reuters/Mario Anzuoni)
Flames and smoke billowed near homes on Tuesday as the Franklin Fire burned in Malibu, California. Officials say a “minimal” number of homes were destroyed (Reuters/Mario Anzuoni)
The sun rises on Tuesday as the Franklin Fire burns in Malibu, California. The sky is filled with smoke over the area (Reuters/Mario Anzuoni)
Firefighters work amid flames and smoke at the Franklin Fire in Malibu, California, on Tuesday. The fire is not yet under control (Reuters/Mario Anzuoni)
Firefighters work as smoke billows from the Franklin Fire in Malibu, California, on Tuesday. Hundreds of firefighters are putting out the fire (Reuters/Mario Anzuoni)
Malibu residents say windows were shaken by fire helicopters
17:50 pm , Julia Musto
A Malibu resident said she woke up Tuesday to find her home’s windows shaking in response to a fire helicopter response.
“I opened the window and the back of my house… was completely swallowed up,” Linda, whose last name was not used, told KTLA. “I ran to the house and got everybody on their feet and told them to get in their cars and get out of here.”
She said she stayed to save her horse. Two of them were frightened and ran away, but she saved one.
“In the end, we probably only had 45 minutes to get out of there,” she said.
According to the station, she slept in the car with the stranger and the other two horses were eventually found uninjured.
California cameras capture smoke-filled skies from Franklin Fire
17:39 , Julia Musto
Smoke from the Franklin Fire rises over the Malibu Mountains on Tuesday. (Cal Fire/Cal Alert)
Shown here are Malibu homes in the mountains of Los Angeles County affected by the Franklin Fire. (Cal Fire/ALERTCalifornia)
The sky over Los Angeles County was filled with yellowish smoke. The Franklin Fire is not yet under control (Cal Fire/ALERTCalifornia)
Franklin Fire in photos: 2,200-acre blaze threatens Malibu
17:26 , Julia Musto
A person walks along Malibu Canyon Road as the Franklin Fire approaches Malibu, California, on Tuesday. The fire moved south Tuesday morning ((AP Photo/Eric Thayer))
The Franklin Fire burned in Malibu, California on Tuesday. Smoke fills the sky ((AP Photo/Jae C. Hong))
A vehicle was destroyed by the Franklin Fire on the campus of Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, on Tuesday. Campus shelter order lifted ((AP Photo/Eric Thayer))
Students were evacuated from Pepperdine University on Tuesday following the Franklin Fire in Malibu, California. Dangerous weather is expected to continue into Wednesday ((AP Photo/Ethan Swope))
Pepperdine University temporarily lifts its shelter in place order
17:13 , Julia Musto
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the city has sent more than 15 fire trucks to help fight the Franklin Fire
17:08 , Julia Musto
The Los Angeles County fires started late last night. The cause is unknown and the fire is not yet under control (Cal Fire)
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Tuesday that the city is working to assist firefighting efforts in Malibu.
She wrote on social media that the Los Angeles Fire Department provided more than 15 fire trucks to assist in the response. Bass assured residents that the department also stands ready to deploy in response to any incident in Los Angeles.
“Our Emergency Management and Recreation and Parks departments are working with the Red Cross to set up shelters to assist those evacuating,” she wrote.
“We encourage all residents in the area to continue to follow the instructions of public safety officials and stay informed while the fires continue.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom says he has secured federal aid for fires
16:56 , Julia Musto
On Monday, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services approved the prepositioning of firefighting resources in Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange and Ventura counties.
Franklin fire prompts evacuation order, California night sky turns orange
16:52 , Julia Musto
Franklin Fire prompts evacuation order, California night sky turns orange
Southern California officials warn residents about ongoing wildfire threat
16:51 , Julia Musto
Firefighters battle the Franklin Fire in Malibu, California, on Tuesday. The cause of the brush fire remains under investigation ((AP Photo/Ethan Swope))
Officials warned the more than 18,000 residents in areas threatened by the Franklin Fire that the danger is not over yet.
“We still have an immediate threat because of the red flags,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Malone warned at a press conference Tuesday morning.
There are approximately 8,100 buildings in the area. Of those, more than 2,000 people were under mandatory evacuation warnings.
“Please obey all evacuation orders. This is the most important thing,” Malibu Mayor Marianne Riggins instructed.
Malibu City Hall is in an evacuation zone, she said.
In the early morning, wind gusts reached 40 mph. The temperature went from 62 degrees to 75 degrees.
