The Franklin Fire in Malibu has rapidly expanded to approximately 4,000 acres as of Wednesday morning, according to Cal Fire reports. The fire originated on Monday night and grew to over 2,000 acres by Tuesday. As of Wednesday, it has reached a containment level of 7%.
LA County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone reported that crews are working diligently around the clock to secure containment lines and protect structures, particularly as fire activity intensified along the western edge, encroaching into Corral Canyon.
Flames put an RV community at risk, prompting the evacuation of thousands of residents. Approximately 19,982 individuals and 7,560 structures are currently under evacuation orders. LA County Sheriff Robert Luna praised residents for their quick response during the evacuation.
As of Wednesday, there have been no injuries reported, although the fire has destroyed seven structures and damaged nine others. Firefighters anticipate providing another update on the damage later in the evening.
Several road closures and school closures remain in place, and evacuation shelters have been set up for displaced residents and their pets. Around 1,500 firefighters are actively battling the blaze, exacerbated by Santa Ana winds, with a red flag warning issued until 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
Details about the fire’s cause are still unknown. The Franklin Fire is one among over 7,600 wildfires reported in California this year. In comparison, at the same time last year, there had been about 6,400 wildfires. In total, 1,040,146 acres have been charred in 2024, a significant increase from the 308,761 acres burned in 2023. The state’s five-year average reflects 7,239 acres burned per year and 1.2 million acres overall.
In the face of this challenging situation, the swift response from firefighters and the community underscores the resilience and courage of those affected. It remains vital for residents to stay informed and adhere to evacuation orders to ensure their safety during this crisis.