10
Loading video...
By Sophie Clark
Live News Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Evacuation orders have been given across Malibu as a wildfire in the area continues to blaze across Los Angeles.
People and animals are being evacuated, and students at Pepperdine University have been asked to shelter in place.
The Franklin fire, which has been blazing since 10:45 pm on December 9, resulted in evacuation orders for "basically the whole city of Malibu," as explained by the X (formerly Twitter) account Kern County Wildfire Tracker.
Read More on News
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. It has rapidly stretched to 853 acres over the past few hours, per reports, despite the official fire season ending on November 29.
An update from the X account California Wildfire Tracking added that "the fire has shifted north towards Piuma Road and away from Malibu for now. We expect this to change with the erratic winds at the surface."
...
What is a Fire Evacuation Zone?
A fire evacuation zone is an area where a blazing fire poses a risk to people, animals, and property.
In California's evacuation zones, there are evacuation warnings and evacuation orders. A warning means there is "a potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should leave immediately."
An order means: "This is an order by law enforcement to leave immediately. The area is lawfully closed to public access."
Large animals are also currently being evacuated from the area and taken to a large animal shelter in Woodland Hills.
Students at nearby Pepperdine University have been told not to evacuate, but instead to "shelter in place in the Tyler Campus Center or Payson Library. Despite any evacuation orders from Malibu city or surrounding areas, the University community should follow University instructions."
In addition to this, Pepperdine University has also called for structural defense help from Incident Command.
What is a Red Flag Warning?
A red flag warning is when a combination of low humidity, warm temperatures, and strong wind conditions risk making a fire significantly worse. The Santa Ana winds sweeping across South California at the moment are a contributing factor to why the Franklin fire is burning so quickly and so out of control.
Malibu is no stranger to wildfires. One notable fire in 2018, the Woosley fire, burned down pop star Miley Cyrus' Malibu home.
Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about this article? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines