An intense wildfire fueled by strong winds and dry conditions ripped through Malibu, California, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, reportedly forcing thousands of people to flee along the coast. Additionally, around 2,000 structures threatened by the fire were under evacuation orders.
Meanwhile, Pepperdine University ordered students and staff to shelter in place and canceled classes and final exams as firefighters battled the blaze that had grown to more than 2,000 acres.
All public schools in the area also closed on Tuesday due to fire danger and widespread power outages.
Hundreds of firefighters are reportedly struggling to contain the fire –– hampered by winds of up to 80 miles per hour –– as helicopters douse the fire with water from nearby lakes.
The wildfire, named the Franklin Fire, also spread across roads, forcing the closure of at least two highways.
It’s unclear what started the fire, but Los Angeles and its surrounding areas have been abnormally dry over the past few months and the region is under a red flag warning.
So far, no injuries have been reported from the Franklin Fire.
