Growing L.A. Fire Threatens Homes and Schools and More Firefighters May Be Needed to Combat the 'Immediate Threat'

Mar. 15, 2025

The Franklin Fire burns at dawn with the Pacific Ocean visible in the distance on Dec. 10, 2024 in Malibu, California.Photo:Mario Tama/Getty

Mario Tama/Getty

No deaths or injuries have been reported with the Franklin Fire, which has already burned nearly 3,000 acresThe Los Angeles fire chief said about 700 firefighters are currently on the scene“This fire is not contained and we remain under an immediate threat,” Chief Anthony C. Marrone said at a news conferenceCalifornia officials said the current number of firefighters battlinga dangerous wildfire ripping through Malibucould expand amid red flag warnings for much of the area due to “damaging” Santa Ana Winds.The blaze, called the Franklin Fire, started late Monday, Dec. 9, and has burned 2,713 acres and is 0% contained as of 12:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Dec. 10, according toCalFire. There have been no reported fatalities or injuries while the cause of the fire is under investigation.“We do have enough ground resources on order,” Los Angeles Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said at apress conferenceon Dec. 10. “We do have our dozers, we have our engine companies…our hand crews. But I would imagine over time, we’re going to grow from maybe 700 firefighters on scene like we have now to a 1,000 or more firefighters because of the difficulties in this particular area.”“Time is of the essence for us to grab a hold of the fire and start getting containment,” Marrone added.“However, we know homes have been damaged or destroyed, but we do not have details on numbers yet,” the city of Malibu said in a statement, perDeadline. “Our hearts and thoughts go out to all those impacted, we will do everything possible to support their recovery.”About 18,000 people and 8,100 homes and businesses were under evacuation orders or warnings, Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna said on Dec. 10,CNNreported.CalFire said that the Pacific Coast Highway is closed between Carbon Canyon and Corral Canyon Road to evacuees only.Meanwhile, theNational Weather Service(NWS) said in a Dec. 10 advisory that multiple “particularly dangerous situation (PDS) red flag warnings” were issued due to “damaging Santa Ana winds” and “very low humidities.”Some of those warnings were scheduled to go into effect until 2 p.m. on Dec. 10 for the San Gabriel Mountains; the Santa Monica Mountains; the Santa Clarita Valley; the City of Calabasas; Ventura County coasts and valleys; and the Western San Fernando Valley.A PDS red flag warning was also scheduled to go into effect until 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11, for the Santa Susanna Mountains.The Franklin Fire burns on Dec. 10, 2024 in Malibu, California.Mario Tama/GettyThe NWS said that the Santa Ana winds will peak on Dec. 10 with speeds of 25 to 40 mph, gusting to 45 to 65 mph, across coastal and valley areas. The winds are expected to continue through Dec. 11.“This fire is not contained and we remain under an immediate threat because of the red flag conditions,” L.A. Fire Chief Marrone said at the press conference. “The current red flag alert is projected to continue into Wednesday at 8 pm for strong winds and low humidities.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Marrone also urged residents not in the “immediate area of the fire to turn off their sprinklers so the water can be used for firefighting purposes.Earlier, Pepperdine Universityinstituted a shelter-in-placeorder early on Dec. 10, ordering those on campus to seek shelter at either the Tyler Campus Center or Payson Library.“Just seeing the flames grow and seeing that bright red color of fire just get brighter and brighter and brighter — it was so scary,” student Gabrielle Salgado toldABC affiliate KABC.The shelter-in-place order was lifted around 7:30 a.m., and students were allowed to return to their respective residences. However, classes and finals were still canceled for the day. But the city of Malibu said on Dec. 10 thatall schools were closed“until further notice.“In aDec. 10 news release, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office announced that the state has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.“Fire officials and first responders are working relentlessly to protect lives and property from the Franklin Fire,” the governor said in a statement. “California is grateful for this federal support, which bolsters these efforts. I urge all residents in affected areas to stay alert and follow evacuation orders.”

California officials said the current number of firefighters battlinga dangerous wildfire ripping through Malibucould expand amid red flag warnings for much of the area due to “damaging” Santa Ana Winds.

The blaze, called the Franklin Fire, started late Monday, Dec. 9, and has burned 2,713 acres and is 0% contained as of 12:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Dec. 10, according toCalFire. There have been no reported fatalities or injuries while the cause of the fire is under investigation.

“We do have enough ground resources on order,” Los Angeles Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said at apress conferenceon Dec. 10. “We do have our dozers, we have our engine companies…our hand crews. But I would imagine over time, we’re going to grow from maybe 700 firefighters on scene like we have now to a 1,000 or more firefighters because of the difficulties in this particular area.”

“Time is of the essence for us to grab a hold of the fire and start getting containment,” Marrone added.

“However, we know homes have been damaged or destroyed, but we do not have details on numbers yet,” the city of Malibu said in a statement, perDeadline. “Our hearts and thoughts go out to all those impacted, we will do everything possible to support their recovery.”

About 18,000 people and 8,100 homes and businesses were under evacuation orders or warnings, Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna said on Dec. 10,CNNreported.

CalFire said that the Pacific Coast Highway is closed between Carbon Canyon and Corral Canyon Road to evacuees only.

Meanwhile, theNational Weather Service(NWS) said in a Dec. 10 advisory that multiple “particularly dangerous situation (PDS) red flag warnings” were issued due to “damaging Santa Ana winds” and “very low humidities.”

Some of those warnings were scheduled to go into effect until 2 p.m. on Dec. 10 for the San Gabriel Mountains; the Santa Monica Mountains; the Santa Clarita Valley; the City of Calabasas; Ventura County coasts and valleys; and the Western San Fernando Valley.

A PDS red flag warning was also scheduled to go into effect until 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11, for the Santa Susanna Mountains.

The Franklin Fire burns on Dec. 10, 2024 in Malibu, California.Mario Tama/Getty

The NWS said that the Santa Ana winds will peak on Dec. 10 with speeds of 25 to 40 mph, gusting to 45 to 65 mph, across coastal and valley areas. The winds are expected to continue through Dec. 11.

“This fire is not contained and we remain under an immediate threat because of the red flag conditions,” L.A. Fire Chief Marrone said at the press conference. “The current red flag alert is projected to continue into Wednesday at 8 pm for strong winds and low humidities.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Marrone also urged residents not in the “immediate area of the fire to turn off their sprinklers so the water can be used for firefighting purposes.

Earlier, Pepperdine Universityinstituted a shelter-in-placeorder early on Dec. 10, ordering those on campus to seek shelter at either the Tyler Campus Center or Payson Library.

“Just seeing the flames grow and seeing that bright red color of fire just get brighter and brighter and brighter — it was so scary,” student Gabrielle Salgado toldABC affiliate KABC.

The shelter-in-place order was lifted around 7:30 a.m., and students were allowed to return to their respective residences. However, classes and finals were still canceled for the day. But the city of Malibu said on Dec. 10 thatall schools were closed“until further notice.”

In aDec. 10 news release, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office announced that the state has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“Fire officials and first responders are working relentlessly to protect lives and property from the Franklin Fire,” the governor said in a statement. “California is grateful for this federal support, which bolsters these efforts. I urge all residents in affected areas to stay alert and follow evacuation orders.”

source: people.com