Firefighters worked overnight to control a dangerous blaze that destroyed homes in Malibu and forced thousands to evacuate.
The Franklin Fire continues to threaten the coastal city, growing by 39% overnight and burning near some residential areas and an RV park.
At least seven homes were destroyed and nine damaged, but officials said that number could rise as they conduct a more complete assessment. As of Wednesday morning, the fire had burned more than 3,900 acres and was 7% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Cal Fire said the blaze was reported on Malibu Canyon Road in the mountains north of Pepperdine University minutes before 11 p.m. Monday and was driven by strong Santa Ana winds. Spread rapidly.
The west side of the fire became more active overnight, retreating toward the Malibu RV Park community into Coral Canyon, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Malone said at a news conference Wednesday morning.
Despite the overnight challenges, crews improved containment lines by dropping retardant and building more fire breaks on the eastern edge of the fire in rugged terrain. More than 1,500 firefighters are battling the blaze, Marrone said.
“Crews are working tirelessly around the clock to establish containment lines and secure structures,” Malone said.
National Weather Service meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld said average wind speeds around the fire area had slowed to 15 to 25 mph by Tuesday night, down from the high of 65 mph recorded at the time of the fire. Compared with the gust peak, it has dropped significantly.
A red flag fire danger warning remains in effect for the area until 6 p.m. Wednesday, with forecasters warning of strong winds and very low humidity in Santa Ana. But winds are expected to subside after that and firefighters hope to make more progress in containing the blaze.
“The city of Malibu is waking up to a red sunrise again. This morning, it’s due to the lingering smoke in the sky, not the approaching fire lines,” Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart said. “We’re in a much better position this morning than we have been over the last 30-plus hours.”
The Franklin Fire burns in the mountains of Malibu.
(Wally Scully/Los Angeles Times)
Still, officials said many residents who live near the fire are still waiting to learn the status of their homes. Some were without power or cell service for a second night in a row.
“To our Malibu community, we know you are hurting,” said Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. “Thank you for caring for each other. Thank you for being vigilant as we contain the fires. Know that we are working hard to return safety and normalcy to Malibu.
Passing through the security gates of Serra Retreat, you’ll find a small slice of luxury property that’s been home to the likes of Patrick Dempsey, Dick Van Dyke and Mel Gibson residence. The first night of the fire came as a surprise to many in the area. Residents said pets were killed and several cars and homes were burned, including one on Mariposa de Oro Street.
Van Dyke wrote on Facebook that he and his wife, Arlene Silver, had evacuated their home.
“Arlene and I evacuated safely with our animals, except for Bobo who escaped as we were leaving,” he wrote, referring to his cat. “We pray that he is doing well and that our community at Serra Retreat will survive this horrific fire.”
Alec Gellis, 31, rode his electric bike through the neighborhood Tuesday afternoon, checking on homes. He and a friend stayed overnight Monday through Tuesday to protect property in the area. He said the fire broke out quickly. At about 11 p.m., he was in his room and heard someone screaming outside and a car honking.
“The sky was red and the whole other side of the canyon was lit up,” he said. “We were surrounded by flames. Literally everywhere you looked there was fire.
He and his friend Abel Rodgers, 33, grabbed a hose attached to a machine that pumped water from a swimming pool and began spraying water into their home. Firefighters were busy extinguishing the flames, so for five hours the two soaked everything they could, even venturing into a neighbor’s yard to help put out the live fire.
Rich Leo was stuck at a Pacific Coast Highway gas station as fires broke out around Malibu on Tuesday.
He parked the SUV at a Chevron gas station, low on gas, and considered leaving the area to fill up.
“But I don’t know if I can go home,” said Leo, 79, standing outside a gas station that was without power.
Leo, a long-time resident in his 40s, recalled the Woolsey Fire burning through Malibu and all the way to the coast.
“This time is bad,” he said of the Franklin fire. “It kept jumping and everywhere I looked last night I saw fire.”
Firefighters knocked on the door of his town home off Winter Canyon Road around 1 a.m., only a few hours into the blaze, but he refused to leave. He worries about staff at nearby Our Lady Catholic Church and school in Malibu.
He wanted to stay and make sure everyone was okay.
At a nearby church, a churchgoer rode his bicycle alone into the school. The fire reached the property line, scorching wooden fence posts and vegetation, but firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to the property.
A man who calls himself Mike walks through the school grounds, with the school gates open and all the taps running.
“I just want to make sure everyone is OK and the school is running normally,” Mike said. “My kids used to come here when they were kids. My house burned down in the Woolsey Fire, so I know what it means when something like this happens.
He walked around the kindergarten classroom, the windows rattling as fire helicopters flew overhead. Another man emerged from the bushes carrying a blue bucket full of water.
“I’m just doing the best I can,” the man said as he put out a smoldering fire along a fence line. He declined to give his name, saying only that he lived on the hillside surrounding the school.
