A brush fire in Malibu, California, has grown to more than 2,800 acres and forced thousands to evacuate from one of the most expensive coastlines in the world.
The Franklin Fire ignited late Monday and within about 12 hours has scorched homes, shuttered part of the Pacific Coast Highway, and burned palm trees at Pepperdine University.
By early afternoon on Tuesday, up to 18,000 people and 8,000 people were under evacuation orders or warnings.
A real-time map from the Los Angeles County Fire Department shows the blaze spread out and encroaching on the coastline. A notable amount of land around the fire is under evacuation order, while a wider area surrounding it is under evacuation warning.
Thick, dark smoke billowed from behind the Malibu Canyon Village complex and other areas. Some residents used garden hoses to spray their homes and vegetation overnight.
Pepperdine University is closed and students are sheltering in place, and other Malibu schools have shuttered as well.
‘The fire is not currently threatening the campus, but we are monitoring it closely and in contact with emergency officials,’ Pepperdine announced on social media on Tuesday morning.
There have been no reports of deaths or serious injuries. However, there were some pet fatalities.
The number of destroyed structures was not immediately known. More than 700 firefighters are battling the inferno.
‘Because of the great work of the firefighters that were on scene, we have only a minimal number of homes destroyed,’ said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone on Tuesday morning.
The fire started near Pepperdine University, reported KTLA.
Its cause is still under investigation.
The Santa Ana winds have been fanning the flames over the mountainside and onto the beach.
As the fire charred some cell phone towers, service has gotten spottier. Over 44,000 customers have had their power cut off due to fire risk.
Among those who evacuated were American actor Dick Van Dyke and singer and actress Cher.
Areas of mandatory evacuation are east of Malibu Canyon Road and south of Piuma Road, and in the Serra Retreat.
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