Wildfires erupted overnight in Malibu, California, creating chaos and prompting immediate evacuations across the area, including near the campus of Pepperdine University. The rapidly spreading Franklin Fire, which ignited shortly after 10:45 p.m. on Monday, December 10, burned through over 2,700 acres of dry brush and threatened thousands of homes.
Residents watched helplessly as flames roared down hillsides, with firefighters struggling against strong Santa Ana winds gusting up to 65 mph. Abundant dry air and the parched foliage acted as catalysts for the blaze’s ferocity, raising the visibility of smoke and sparks as they danced across the night sky.
Emergency services quickly ordered evacuations for around 18,000 residents, with over 8,100 structures placed on alert. By Tuesday morning, authorities confirmed evacuation orders for 2,043 homes, nearly all occupants urged to flee as the fire closed in.
Student snapshots captured the looming disaster—students at Pepperdine, many still enrobed in pajamas at the unfurling hour, reported temperatures soaring from anxious anticipation to outright panic. “It felt super apocalyptic,” admitted Abigail Ballhagen, mentioning how ash and embers filled the air, creating terrifying conditions.
Nick Smyth, who lives near Malibu, gathered his family during the upheaval after spotting flames nearing their home. "My son’s got a little bit of shellshock," he recounted. Smyth recognized the imminent danger as embers rained down and fled with his children to safety.
The picturesque coastal town of Malibu, known for its celebrity-filled neighborhoods, faced the unthinkable as the ferocious blaze edged perilously close to homes, including those along the famous Pacific Coast Highway. Flames caused major concerns as they battled for containment, with no restrictions reported by midday Tuesday.
Officials reported several homes conflagrated after the fire flared, with fire department chief Anthony Marrone stating the full devastation was still unassessed. Fire crews from across surrounding areas, including Los Angeles County and Orange County, coordinated their efforts to combat the blaze under strenuous conditions.
By mid-afternoon, as the winds shifted, firefighters worked diligently to keep the fire from spreading toward additional communities, including the historically significant Malibu Pier, which fortunately remained unharmed. "I think the preponderance of structures being impacted around here are going to be homes," said Matt Myerhoff, spokesperson for the city of Malibu, as officials assessed potential damage.
The impact on Pepperdine University was immediate. The university implemented its emergency shelter-in-place protocol as flames neared, asking students and faculty to remain inside. Despite the terror and uncertainty, the campus buildings, constructed with fire-resistant materials, weathered the immediate threat.
Michael Friel, the university’s spokesperson, reassured parents and residents, “Parts of the campus have been ‘singed,’ but there has been no significant damage.” Eventually, as the worst of the fire passed, students remaining on campus were allowed to breathe easier, albeit under heightened alert and cautiousness.
Real-time communications between emergency management and residents proved more challenging due to power outages, which disrupted cell services. To tackle these challenges, the sheriff’s department used loudspeakers to provide door-to-door evacuation assistance, ensuring residents could navigate the chaos. “The way evacuations are conducted by the Sheriff's department is they go door to door,” Myerhoff shared.
Stories emerged of harrowing escapes as residents swiftly grabbed belongings before the flames threatened their properties. Amid rapid growth of the fire, Councilmember Bruce Silverstein recounted rushing to flee his home, witnessing the wildfire enveloping the hillside around him. “I think I’m in shock right now,” he remarked, reflecting on the surreal nature of confronting the flames with mere minutes to spare.
Meanwhile, shelters sprung up for displaced residents, with locations established at places like the Palisades Recreation Center. The call for animal shelter provision extended to local facilities as residents sought refuge from the devastation.
“Everyone is on alert, and there’s widespread concern for livestock and pets,” said Linda, another Malibu resident who experienced the frantic decision of leaving her horses behind as the fire swept through her vicinity.
Investigators were called to assess the cause behind the wildfire, eyeing potential human-initiated threats after previous instances. The Santa Ana winds, notorious for fanning flames with drying gusts from the interior to the coast, were already underway, intensifying fire risks.
Fires are no strangers to Malibu, with the haunted memory of the devastating Woolsey Fire still vivid for many residents. Lessons learned led to enhancement of preparations and response coordination, aiming for effective battle lines against wildfires without pause.
Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, reiterated the need to secure resources, announcing the establishment of support mechanisms through FEMA for firefighters engaged at the forefront of emergency intervention.
Despite all efforts, active containment of the Franklin Fire remains at the forefront of concerns, as forecasts suggested continued wind and dry air extending the battle for firefighters on the ground. “Time is of the essence for us to grab hold of the fire and start getting some containment,” Fire Chief Marrone confessed, offering insight on the urgency of the situation.
By the end of Tuesday evening, as firefighters continued their strenuous efforts to fend off the flames, widespread evacuations echoed along California’s coastal paradise turned perilous, leaving the charm of Malibu hanging by the thin thread of nature’s unpredictability.
Residents, faculty, and students within the Malibu area remained vigilant as they anticipated updates about containment efforts and the potential for recovery after this unexpected nightmare.