Franklin fire: Malibu wildfire destroys 9 structures, damages 6 as containment starts

The Franklin fire in Malibu continued to grow, swelling to more than 4,000 acres by Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 11, as strong winds pushed the flames toward the west and down to the coast.

The fire, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said, ballooned “significantly along the western edge of the fire and began backing down into Corral Canyon, threatening the Malibu RV Park community.”

The difficult-to-access terrain on the west side of the fire in the Malibu Canyon area has presented challenges for fire personnel, according to Dusty Martin of Cal Fire, which assumed command of firefighting efforts on Wednesday morning.

“It’s extremely steep and inaccessible terrain that the fire is in. We are working on getting firefighters in to start containing that,” Martin said.

With 6,300 people still under evacuation orders on Wednesday night, getting people back into their homes is a priority.

“Getting the citizens back in their homes is our number one priority. But in order to do that, we have to make sure that the area is safe before we can let folks back in,” Martin said.

RELATED: Map: Franklin Fire evacuation zone expands in Malibu

The 1,900-plus firefighters on the blaze, working to do just that, had achieved 7% containment, up from zero the day before, Marrone said. Los Angeles County firefighters continued to assist as CalFire took command, and will continue to work alongside the agency to get the fire fully under control. As Wednesday continued, containment stayed at 7%. Containment is the percentage of the fire’s perimeter that fire officials believe won’t expand, either because of natural barriers or firefighters’ work.

“Containment lines were improved by fire-retardant drops and construction of new hand lines to connect the gaps along the rugged eastern edge of the fire,” the chief said at a press conference with other officials at the Zuma Beach Lifeguard Headquarters.

At least six structures have been damaged and nine destroyed, including three or more homes.

The fire’s cause remains under investigation. No injuries or deaths have been reported.

Here’s what we know:

• Acres burned: 4,037
• Containment: 7%
• Structures affected: Nine destroyed and six damaged according to a count on Wednesday
• People evacuated: 6,300 people estimated under evacuation orders
• Fire Personnel: More than 1,900
• Cause of fire: Unknown
• When it started: 10:50 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9

Still, the Franklin fire has left destruction in its wake.

Family members at a house at Serra Road and Mariposa Drive were sifting through ashes and what remained. Across the street, a pink guest house and yard had suffered damage.

A wedding photo had been placed on a car, an apparent survivor: The glass was covered in ash.

Firefighters continued to go back and fourth along Serra, with some putting out hot spots and others tending to one of the other two burned homes in the neighborhood. Besides homes, people were missing — they had fled.

Three houses in the Serra Resort neighborhood were burnt down, and neighbors said that they are saddened by the situation those families are going through and are still worried for the greater community.

“It’s very surreal,” said one man who lives along Serra Road and had only been back to his house for a couple of hours Wednesday afternoon. “We’re also thankful but it’s also hard to feel thankful when others around us have lost so much. It’s a conflicting feeling, it’s a strange feeling.”

Other neighbors said that they are looking forward to gaining a sense of relief. Even though the fire in the area has been contained, the worry for imminent danger is still there, they said.

Although many residents have evacuated, some have returned to their homes even though there is no power.

On Wednesday morning, Dax and Aliee Pemberton, 28 and 27 respectively, watched the fire that, when it broke out, found them parked along Pacific Coast Highway in their RV. From Colorado, they work at the local Ralphs and have been living about the Malibu area for six months.

“We stayed up until almost two or three o’clock in the morning just watching — it was crazy,” Dax Pemberton said. “I literally saw flames come up over the hill just right here.”

Their RV was still covered in ashes from Monday night. The couple said that this was their first time experiencing a wildfire so close.

“I feel like a lot of people are lost and stress is in the air,” Dax Pemberton said.

Officials kept a close eye on weather conditions on Wednesday. Officials anticipated low humidity and strong winds.

“Today is the last day of (a) severe fire-weather warning, which is welcome news for all of us,” L.A. County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath said at the press conference. “However, this emergency is far from over.”

The fire was first reported about 10:50 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, along Malibu Canyon Road near the tunnel.

“The entire fire area remains under threat as long as these red-flag warning conditions exist,” Marrone said, referring to weather that helps wildfires quickly spread.

Among those evacuated were Dick Van Dyke and Cher, according to The Associated Press.

A list of areas under evacuation orders and warnings can be found by visiting lacounty.gov/emergency.

Evacuation shelters have been set up at the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, 2828 Fourth St. in Santa Monica, and at the Calabasas Community Center, 27040 Malibu Hills Rd. in Calabasas. The Agoura Animal Center, at 29525 Agoura Rd. in Agoura Hills, was taking in small animals, while Pierce College, at 6201 Winnetka Ave. in

Woodland Hills, was accepting large animals for shelter during the fire.

Sheriff Luna thanked residents for cooperating with evacuation orders and said the department has had no reports of crime in evacuated areas.

“Priority continues to be the safety of our residents,” Luna said. “The residents in this area have done … an excellent job. …

“When our deputies are going around trying to get people out for their safety, they have fully cooperated and that makes our job easier.”