Footage shows palm trees ablaze as the Franklin Fire spread through Malibu, California, on December 11. Authorities said the Franklin Fire started at 10:52 pm on Monday, December 9, quickly spreading to 300 acres. Mandatory evacuations were issued for areas east of Malibu Canyon Road, south of Piuma Road, and the Serra Retreat area. Parts of Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard were closed due to the fire. The blaze erupted during strong Santa Ana winds, which occur when air from high pressure over the Great Basin flows westward toward lower pressure off the California coast. This air accelerates, sinks, and compresses as it moves through mountain passes, reaching up to 70 miles per hour. By Wednesday, the fire had burned around 4,035 acres. The cause is still unknown.

More than 6,000 people are under mandatory evacuation orders in Malibu, California, after the Franklin Fire exploded to more than 2,000 acres. The blaze spread across the Pacific Coast Highway, according to the city of Malibu.

MALIBU, Calif. (AP) — Evacuation orders and warnings have gone out to 20,000 Southern California residents Tuesday as firefighters battled a wind-driven wildfire in Malibu that burned near celebrities' seaside mansions, horse farms and Pepperdine University, the sheriff's department said. The “stubborn fire” is 0% contained and has drawn some 1,500 firefighters, Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony C. Marrone said at a news conference Tuesday night. He said a preliminary aerial assessment estimates that seven structures were destroyed and eight structures damaged.

Footage captured from the Pepperdine Caruso Law School shows the Franklin Fire scorching a hillside in Malibu, California, on December 12. Authorities said the Franklin Fire started at 10:52 pm on Monday, December 9, quickly spreading to 300 acres. Mandatory evacuations were issued for areas east of Malibu Canyon Road, south of Piuma Road, and the Serra Retreat area. Parts of Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard were closed due to the fire. The blaze erupted during strong Santa Ana winds, which occur when air from high pressure over the Great Basin flows westward toward lower pressure off the California coast. This air accelerates, sinks, and compresses as it moves through mountain passes, reaching up to 70 miles per hour. By Wednesday, the fire had burned around 4,035 acres. The cause is still unknown.