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Residents in Malibu, California, have been compelled to evacuate as the Franklin Fire continues to expand, fueled by intense winds and warm temperatures.
The fire ignited shortly before 11 p.m. on Monday and has engulfed over 2,200 acres, leading to the evacuation of more than 6,000 residents. The cause of the fire is still being determined.
Currently, around 700 firefighting personnel are deployed to combat the blaze as daylight breaks along the West Coast.
Fortunately, no severe injuries or fatalities have been reported so far, and officials indicated that the destruction of homes has been “minimal.” While the exact number of structures lost is undetermined, about 2,000 properties are situated within the evacuation zones.
The fire, which ignited near Pepperdine University, is advancing southward. The school has postponed final examinations and closed all its facilities indefinitely, though it lifted a shelter-in-place order that may be reinstated should circumstances deteriorate.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna reported that his department has deployed 150 personnel to aid in the emergency response.
“The safety of our community members is our top priority,” stated Luna.
A red flag warning remains in effect through Wednesday, indicating elevated fire risks.
The Franklin Fire persists under challenging conditions
Authorities have urged residents to take evacuation orders seriously as the fire threat continues to loom.
With the night sky over California illuminated by orange hues, the Franklin Fire has resulted in widespread evacuation orders.
Governor Gavin Newsom has announced federal assistance to support firefighting efforts.
For further updates on the Franklin Fire, residents and interested parties can follow the developments closely.
Personal accounts from the fire zone
17:50, Julia Musto
One resident described her harrowing experience throughout the fire’s onset, recalling how she awoke to the sound of firefighting helicopters and the sight of flames approaching her home.
Linda, a Malibu resident who chose not to provide her last name, shared her urgent response: “I opened my window and the back of my property… was all engulfed. I ran to the house, got everybody up, and had them get in the car and get out of here.”
She stayed behind momentarily to save her horses, ultimately regrouping two of them while managing to flee with one before the situation became dire.
“At the very end, we probably only had 45 minutes to get out of there,” she recounted, adding that she found refuge in a car alongside strangers until she could locate her horses, unharmed.
Visual documentation of the wildfire’s impact
17:39, Julia Musto
Smoke billows ominously over the Malibu hills as the Franklin Fire rages on, visibly affecting the area and contributing to deteriorating air quality.
Images illustrate Malibu homes situated in Los Angeles County, showcasing the devastation inflicted by the Franklin Fire.
As smoke continues to envelop the skies, the fire remains uncontained, presenting ongoing challenges for firefighting teams on the ground.
Evacuations and ongoing response efforts
17:13, Julia Musto
Support from Los Angeles in combating the Franklin Fire
17:08, Julia Musto
The Franklin Fire, which began late Monday night, is still not contained, and its cause is under investigation.
Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, confirmed that the city is actively supporting efforts to control the fire by supplying over 15 fire engines to the response teams.
Bass stated on social media that the Los Angeles Fire Department also stands ready to respond to other incidents that may arise in the region.
“As we assist Malibu, our Emergency Management Department and Recreation and Parks Department are coordinating with the Red Cross to establish shelters for those forced to evacuate,” she added.
She urges all residents to remain vigilant and adhere to directions from public safety agencies as the fire situation evolves.
Governor Newsom secures federal support
16:56, Julia Musto
On Monday, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services announced the prepositioning of firefighting resources to ensure rapid deployment to affected counties including Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, and Ventura.
Urgent reminders from officials
16:51, Julia Musto
As the firefighting efforts continue, officials warn the over 18,000 residents in the affected areas that the threat from the Franklin Fire is far from extinguished.
“We remain under an immediate threat due to red flag conditions,” cautioned Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone during a news briefing.
Approximately 8,100 structures are situated in the fire’s proximity, with more than 2,000 currently under mandatory evacuation warnings.
Malibu Mayor Marianne Riggins emphasized the importance of following all evacuation orders, noting that even City Hall is located within an evacuation zone.
Amidst early morning gusts reaching up to 40 mph, temperatures are expected to rise significantly, intensifying the danger posed by the wildfire.
Source
www.yahoo.com