Franklin Fire in Malibu Containment Increases to 30%

The Franklin Fire in Malibu is smoldering in steep and dangerous terrain Friday and cooler weather, higher humidity and the absence of strong winds are helping firefighters minimize the spread of the destructive wildfire that started on Monday.

With the Santa Ana winds subsided and overall conditions improving, containment of the 4,037-acre Franklin Fire increased to 30% Friday, and some residents who were under evacuation orders were allowed to return to their homes.

The priority is to repopulate evacuated areas as quickly as possible, Cal Fire said.

Throughout Thursday, fire activity remained minimal, and no significant fire growth occurred, according to Cal Fire. Aerial suppression efforts have been successful in keeping the fire subdued.

At a noon briefing on Thursday, Los Angeles County Fire Department Deputy Chief Eleni Pappas said authorities have conducted a preliminary assessment of some of the estimated 7,600 structures within the “fire footprint” area, which includes about 6,600 single-family homes.

Pappas said four homes have been destroyed, six have been damaged, and five smaller structures — such as sheds or other outbuildings — also had been destroyed. She noted that authorities had only surveyed a portion of the terrain, so the numbers could change.

According to Malibu spokeswoman Rebecca Nelson, damage inspectors reported 12 structures destroyed — six homes and six outbuildings — with 10 residences and one outbuilding damaged..

Cal Fire Assistant Chief Dusty Martin, one of the Franklin Fire incident commanders, said 1,974 personnel were assigned to the firefighting effort.

Martin said authorities on Thursday will begin to allow “some repopulation of the areas” affected by the fire.

“And that’s strictly due to the successful efforts of all agency personnel working collaboratively together to start bringing containment and make sure the areas are safe,” Martin said.

“Some areas around the fire are still going to (be) under evacuation orders and warnings,” Martin said. “It is our No. 1 priority to get residents back into their homes and to their communities. However, we have to make sure it’s safe to do so.”

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Jennifer Seetoo said, “Effective immediately, some of the mandatory evacuation orders will be lifted in some of the areas.”

“We will downgrade the voluntary evacuation orders, allowing citizens who evacuated — some citizens who evacuated — back into their homes,” Seetoo said.

Seetoo advised people to use the website www.protect.genasys.com to guide them on the specifics of the repopulation effort. And she said some roadways were being reopened.

Officials also urged people to use the website www.lacounty.gov/emergency and look for links to information on recovery efforts connected with the fire.

It was unclear exactly how many people were being allowed to return home.

Nelson said Thursday that approximately 66% of residents, or about 3,747 people, were allowed to return home, while 1,600 other residents remain under evacuation orders.

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, whose Third District includes Malibu, said she met with leaders from Malibu, Topanga, Pepperdine University and neighboring communities to coordinate emergency response efforts.

“The strength of our Malibu and surrounding communities has been evident throughout this crisis. To those impacted by the Franklin Fire, I want you to know that we are here for you,” Horvath said.

“To all those who have come together — from mutual aid organizations to our county departments, neighboring counties, and countless volunteers — thank you for your dedication and compassion. Your efforts make a difference.”

As of Thursday afternoon, road closures remained in place at Piuma Road at Cold Canyon Road; Malibu Canyon Road at Piuma; Malibu Canyon Road at Francisco Ranch; and Stunt Road at Schueren Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.

According to Cal Fire, “soft” street closures, in which only residents with proper identification may enter an area, were in effect at:

— Topanga Canyon Boulevard at Pacific Coast Highway; and

— Old Topanga Canyon Road at Mulholland Highway to Topanga Canyon.

“Hard” closures, in which only emergency vehicles may enter an area, were at:

— Tuna Canyon at Pacific Coast Highway;

— Kanan Road at Pacific Coast Highway;

— Saddle Peak at Tuna Canyon;

— Stunt Road at Mulholland Highway;

— Cold Canyon at Piuma Road; and

— Piuma Road at Malibu Canyon to Pacific Coast Highway.

The blaze began shortly before 11 p.m. Monday in a Malibu Canyon area where a high volume of dry brush contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze. It erupted in the midst of a rare “particularly dangerous situation red flag warning” issued by the National Weather Service in response to strong wind gusts and dramatically dry conditions.

The cause of the fire was still under investigation.

On Tuesday, more than a dozen water- and retardant-dropping aircraft were assisting in the effort, including Super Scoopers and eight Cal Fire S2-T tankers, which are capable of dropping 1,200 gallons of retardant.

Pepperdine University reported power outages and activated a shelter- in-place protocol early Tuesday morning. That order was lifted later that morning, although students and staff were urged to stay off the local roads.

Final exams at the university were postponed and campus operations were suspended, with much of the campus without power.

All Malibu schools within the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District were closed Tuesday, and they will remain closed through Friday due to continued restrictions in the area. The district’s Santa Monica schools remained open.

The Santa Monica College Malibu Campus will also be closed through Friday.

Southern California Edison officials began restoring power to several neighborhoods late Wednesday afternoon once the red flag warning was lifted, but some areas were still impacted.

“Malibu is a strong and resilient community. I want to thank our residents for their patience and our first responders for their heroic efforts. The city will continue to stand with you, providing the support and resources needed to rebuild and recover,” Mayor Doug Stewart expressed in a statement.

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger signed a local declaration of emergency in response to the fire early Tuesday morning. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state had secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist with the firefight.

“Fire officials and first responders are working relentlessly to protect lives and property from the Franklin Fire,” Newsom 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.”

Malibu plans to open a local assistance center at Malibu Bluffs Park on Tuesday.

The Red Cross of Los Angeles is working around the clock with local emergency management officials to assist those in need of resources and shelter. Residents affected by the Franklin fire are encouraged to call 800-733- 2767.

— City News Service