Malibu Franklin Fire: About 20% contained, some residents can return home soon as cause remains under investigation
Roughly 20,000 face evacuations in Malibu, including some celebrities, as fire continues to rage near Los Angeles
A fast-moving wildfire scorched more than 4,000 acres in Malibu, forcing 20,000 residents to flee as flames raced toward homes, horse farms and Pepperdine University.
The Franklin Fire, another late-year wildfire fanned by fierce Santa Ana winds, left a trail of destruction in its wake. Officials confirmed nine structures were destroyed and six had been damaged. Fire officials said it will take a “number of days” to put out the blaze, which was 20 percent contained early Thursday afternoon. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
The strongest winds in the area had passed and meteorologists said high fire dangers decreased, which aided efforts to contain the fire. Evacuations in Malibu displaced thousands of residents, including celebrities Dick Van Dyke and Cher.
Mayor Doug Stewart said earlier in the week that the fire had marked a “traumatic 20 hours” for the city.
More than 1,900 personnel continued to battle the blaze, with many roads closed and others under security patrols. Some areas would reopen to residents.
“To those who are still waiting, know that every efforts is being made to ensure your safety and your return as soon as possible,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said.
Aftermath of scorching Franklin Fire seen in pictures
Red Cross spokesperson says Franklin Fire evacuees were ‘in shock’
A Red Cross spokesperson who works at a shelter in Pacific Palisades said Franklin Fire evacuees had arrived there in pajamas.
They were “definitely in shock,” Mimi Teller told The Associated Press.
“Nobody even had a backpack, it was, ‘Get out now,’” she said.
Newlyweds say they lost everything in Franklin Fire
Malibu residents and newlyweds, Blake and Michelle Geffen, recall the dramatic moment they were forced to evacuate their home.
“Our neighbor called us and told us that there was a fire and we immediately looked at each other and grabbed our cat and very few belongings,” Michelle told KTLA.
“We only have the clothes on our backs and we just left. [We lost] everything. We had just gotten married,” she said.
Los Angeles County officials give Malibu residents some good news: Franklin Fire now 20 percent contained
Los Angeles County officials gave Malibu residents some good news on Thursday afternoon.
Firefighters had made substantial process on fighting the 4,037-acre Franklin Fire, and containment was up to 20 percent, according to Cal Fire’s Dusty Martin.
Martin announced that there would be some phased repopulation, but added that safety was important for everyone there.
“We need to ensure that we have the first responder safety, along with the safety for the residents,” he said.
“There was a valiant effort among the firefighters in the first 36-48 hours,” said Deputy Fire Chief Eleni Pappas.
Pappas also noted that four of the nine structures destroyed in the blaze were homes.
The first phase of resident repopulation would begin shortly, officials reported. But, mandatory evacuation orders would only be lifted in some areas.
“To those who are still waiting, know that every efforts is being made to ensure your safety and your return as soon as possible,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said.
Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart asked for his residents’ patience.
“It is not safe to come back in parts of Malibu yet,” he explained.
The cause of the fire is still under active investigation.
Cooler weather conditions helped firefighters make progress
Cooler weather conditions and higher humidities helped firefighters make progress on the Franklin Fire on Wednesday and Thursday.
The red flag event that brought wind speeds of up to 60 miles per hour had passed.
Deputy Fire Chief Eleni Pappas said officials were expecting to get cooperation from the weather.
“It is a plus,” she said.
Some light showers were forecast in the region on Thursday.
Unfortunately at this time of year and even with rain, she noted, the fuels are very dry and some places have not burned in decades.
Firehawk pilot speaks out on difficulty fighting the Franklin Fire
A Firehawk helicopter pilot is speaking out about his experience tackling Malibu’s Franklin Fire.
“We were working on structure protection around Pepperdine,” Jeff Seabrook, a pilot with the Ventura County Fire Aviation Unit, told NBC 4 Los Angeles.
“To get there coming from the north, we are cresting over two ridges, not only at night, but now you can’t see the aircraft that are leaving Pepperdine as we’re coming inbound to that area,” he explained.
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