Residents warned to beware of fires as Santa Ana winds hit Los Angeles County

In December 2024, a significant wildfire named the Franklin fire erupted in Malibu, California. The blaze began late Monday night, around 10:45 PM, and swiftly expanded, impacting the coastal region and prompting emergency responses. Packing high winds that reached 40 mph, the fire rapidly consumed over 3,500 acres, threatening various residential areas and landmarks, including Pepperdine University. Evacuations were ordered for numerous residents, particularly those situated east of Malibu Canyon Road. The fire was exacerbated by Santa Ana winds, which are historically known for creating highly favorable conditions for wildfires. While numerous residents were evacuated, approximately 3,000 students at Pepperdine were advised to shelter in place due to the school’s established protocol for such emergencies. The university had strategically designed its campus with fire safety in mind, ensuring that students could stay within safe buildings while authorities fought the blaze nearby. This decision followed criticism from prior incidents and spurred discussion on fire safety measures and evacuation strategies in wildfire-prone areas. The shelter-in-place protocol allowed students to receive food, water, and safety right on campus, significantly reducing potential chaos on the evacuation routes that are often congested during fire emergencies. Meanwhile, frontline firefighters battled the flames with multiple water-dropping aircraft, focusing their efforts on safeguarding both lives and structures in the region. By Wednesday, the conditions improved remarkably, enabling the fire teams to make significant progress in containing the fire, but around 20,000 residents remained under evacuation orders. The impact of the Franklin fire was felt throughout Malibu, including for some of the notable residents like Cher and Dick Van Dyke, who evacuated their homes amidst growing defeat. Their experiences echoed the broader challenges faced by people living in high-risk wildfire zones in California. As the blaze was finally contained, it spurred ongoing discussions regarding the effectiveness of fire safety protocols in vulnerable communities. Evacuation orders were lifted, and hopes for recovery gripped the affected residents as firefighters managed to secure the area and individual safety returned.