Franklin Fire in Malibu rages out of control, prompting evacuation of thousands | U.S.

Strong Santa Ana winds, a dry current that blows from inland California toward the coast, fueled a wildfire overnight in Malibu, the coastal city west of Los Angeles. The flames have grown out of control and had already destroyed nearly 900 hectares (2,200 acres) by noon on Tuesday. The so-called Franklin Fire has forced authorities to order the evacuation of thousands of people, as the fire threatens to consume some 2,000 structures. Malibu has a population of 11,000. About 6,000 live to the east, the area threatened by Franklin.

On Tuesday morning, flames could be seen on both sides of the Pacific Highway, a busy road that connects the metropolis with the affluent coastal areas. Several houses and a church have been hit by the flames, which gained strength thanks to winds gusting in the 40-mph range and very low humidity conditions of only 5%.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said at a news conference on Tuesday morning that the fire had destroyed “a minimal number of homes,” although he did not provide an exact number. He asked the public to slow down the water supply so as not to affect the water pressure for the hundreds of firefighters working in the area. Firefighters are also fighting the blaze with helicopters using water from an artificial lake in the park of Pepperdine University. Classes and final exams at the center have been canceled for Tuesday, the institution announced.

Authorities received the first report of the fire at about 10:50 p.m on Monday. The origin has not been determined yet. Residents in eastern Malibu began receiving alerts and notifications of the fire half an hour later, when the flames began to advance along the slopes of the region’s hills and embers began to rain down on people’s gardens. By midnight, a group of deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office were knocking on the doors of residents asking them to leave their homes and go to one of the two shelters that have been set up in recent hours.

A city spokesman told CBS this morning that Malibu Pier was not damaged as Franklin moved inland toward the coast. “I think the impact here is going to be predominantly to homes and residences,” Matt Myerhoff told the morning newscast.

The strong, hot, dry, dust-bearing winds typically descend to the Pacific Coast from inland desert regions during the fall. They have fueled some of the largest and most damaging fires in recent California history.