The Franklin Fire in the Malibu region has expanded significantly, now affecting nearly 4,000 acres as of Wednesday, according to updates from Cal Fire. The fire originated late Monday night and escalated to over 2,000 acres by Tuesday afternoon. As of Wednesday morning, officials reported that the fire had burned approximately 3,983 acres and was about 7% contained.
LA County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone stated that firefighting teams are dedicatedly working around the clock to create containment lines and protect properties in the area. He noted a notable increase in fire activity along the western edge, with the flames moving into Corral Canyon.
Flames have posed threats to a nearby RV community, prompting thousands of evacuations. As of now, about 19,982 residents and 7,560 structures are under evacuation orders, with some residents having to leave their homes overnight on Tuesday. LA County Sheriff Robert Luna commended the residents for their quick evacuation response.
So far, there have been no reports of injuries; however, the fire has led to the destruction of several homes, with reports indicating that seven structures were completely destroyed and nine others sustained damage. Fire officials expect to provide further updates regarding property damage later in the day.
In addition, some roadways and schools remain closed, while shelters have been set up for displaced residents and animals. Approximately 1,500 firefighters are actively working to control the spread of this wind-driven fire, aided by the easing of a red flag warning that expired early Wednesday afternoon.
Regarding the context of wildfires in California, the Franklin Fire is just one of over 7,600 fires recorded this year. Comparatively, more than 6,400 wildfires had occurred by this time last year. The state firefighting agency indicates that 1,040,146 acres have burned so far in 2024, a stark increase from the 308,761 acres burned in the prior year. California’s average for the past five years indicates a trend of increased wildfire activity, with over 1.2 million acres typically affected.
Despite the devastation caused by this fire, it’s vital to recognize the resilience and courage of the community members and firefighting teams working diligently to protect lives and property. With ongoing efforts, there is hope that containment will improve and that recovery for those affected will be prioritized.