Malibu fire: Blaze nearly triples in size in one hour as it threatens Malibu

CNN
 — 

A fire near Southern California’s downtown Malibu is spreading quickly, prompting mandatory evacuations and threatening structures, including the city’s iconic Malibu Pier. Nearby Pepperdine University canceled classes Tuesday, as students sheltering in place on the school’s Malibu campus watch the flames in the distance.

Here’s the latest:

– High winds and low humidity are worsening conditions near the Franklin Fire. Winds are gusting in the 40-mph range and are expected to ramp up around daybreak. Humidity levels are critically low, with values as low as 5%. “Strong and damaging north to northeast winds are expected through at least late Tuesday morning, peaking around daybreak,” a special spot forecast from the National Weather Service reads. “While winds will weaken some during Tuesday afternoon, critical fire weather conditions are very likely to persist into Wednesday.”

– The inferno has already grown to more than 1,800 acres – at one point nearly tripling in size in just one hour, CALFire said.

– The Los Angeles County Fire Department issued evacuation orders east of Malibu Canyon Road and South of Piuma Road and the Serra Retreat area, where units are on the ground battling the fire. About 6,000 people and more than 2,000 structures are under evacuation orders, CNN affiliate KABC reported, citing information from fire officials.

Videos taken at Pepperdine University overnight show people walking around the grounds, the darkness lit by an orange glow as flames blaze in the distance. The university is asking students to shelter in place at the campus library and student center at least through daylight, and the school has canceled classes and finals for the day.

Fire engines are on campus, where the worst of the fire has passed but some spot fires remain, the university said.

“All community members on the Malibu campus are directed 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,” the university said, noting its plan was approved by the fire department.

The library and student center are “well protected against any type of threat from the brush fire,” Pepperdine public information officer Michael Friel told news outlet KTLA.

The dry air, gusty winds and dry vegetation are creating conditions conducive to new fires quickly spreading out of control, potentially threatening life and property.

The City of Malibu announced it has activated its Emergency Operations Centers and said the fire has a “rapid rate of spread.”