February 15, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Breaking News: Franklin Fire Containment at 42% as Malibu Shares Recovery Updates

Malibu Residents Return Home as Damage Assessments Near Completion

The City of Malibu has released updates on the Franklin Fire as it moves into the recovery phase, detailing progress on containment, damage assessments, and resources for affected residents and businesses.

SCE issued a PSPS Alert for high winds/fire risk from Tues afternoon to Wed evening, potentially causing outages. Affected areas: Malibu circuits (Cuthbert, Maguire, Merlin, Serra). Charge devices, and check supplies. For updates, visit http://sce.com/psps. Duration: If power is shut off, restoration typically takes 8 hours but may be delayed if daylight is needed for safe inspections.

The Franklin Fire has stabilized at 4,037 acres and is now 42% contained, with crews working to secure control lines and extinguish interior heat sources.

Preliminary damage assessment report:

  • Residential structures: 8 single-family homes were destroyed, and 14 were damaged.
  • Commercial structures: 7 damaged.
  • Outbuildings: 11 destroyed, 5 damaged.
  • Total structures impacted: 46

Damage assessments are approximately 95% complete, with final figures expected soon.

Evacuation orders have been downgraded to warnings, allowing all residents to return to their homes.

  • Fully reopened: Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is open in both directions.
  • Soft closures: Limited to residents with proper ID on Las Flores Canyon Road, Carbon Canyon Road, Sweetwater Canyon Drive, Puerco Canyon Road, and Corral Canyon Road (all north of PCH).
  • Hard closure: Malibu Canyon Road remains closed between Piuma Road and Civic Center Way.

Please slow down while driving through soft closure areas. Access to these areas is still restricted to residents only. Please have valid ID ready at checkpoints and drive carefully as emergency personnel continue working in the area. Traffic info http://MalibuCity.org/FranklinFire

Malibu will host a Local Assistance Center on Tuesday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at City Hall. The one-stop center will provide:

  • Resources for rebuilding and recovery, including permit guidance.
  • Information on debris cleanup and winter weather preparations.
  • Support for reconnecting utilities and accessing recovery services.

City Hall will resume normal operations on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 8 a.m. That evening, a town hall and community forum will take place at 6 p.m. to provide updates, address resident concerns, and share recovery resources.

Residents can view a recorded community update on recovery efforts here:

Malibu officials emphasized their commitment to supporting residents and businesses through the recovery process while continuing firefighting and safety efforts.

<>Related Posts

Country Club Donates $1M for Palisades Recovery

February 14, 2025

February 14, 2025

The club has encouraged members and partners to contribute to an established fund The Riviera Country Club has pledged $1...

UCLA Suspends Pro-Palestinian Student Groups Following Protest at UC Regent’s Home

February 14, 2025

February 14, 2025

Chancellor Cites Potential Student Code Violations; Student Groups Reject Allegations UCLA has suspended two pro-Palestinian student organizations following a protest...

Black History Greens Festival to Celebrate Community Legacy of Virginia Avenue Park

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

The free community event is part of Santa Monica’s Black History Month celebrations, with the 2025 theme, “Roots and Reflections:...

Flash Flood Warning Issued for Burn Areas, LAFD Officer Swept off Road by Debris

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Storm Damage Closes Pacific Coast Highway, Officials Urge Caution Not even members of the LAFD are being spared from the...

Film Review: Love Hurts

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

FILM/ REVIEWLOVE HURTSRated R83 MinutesReleased February 7th Valentine’s Day is written all over this movie. Love Hurts seems to be...

New Map Tracks Palisades Cleanup Progress, Identifies Phase 1 and Phase 2 Areas

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

New interactive map helps residents track debris removal progress as officials emphasize unprecedented cleanup speed A newly released interactive map...

Santa Monica Hotel Event Space Offers Affordability, Accessibility

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Elevate Your Events with Versatile Venues and Exceptional Service Coastal stays and eclectic event spaces don’t have to be expensive....

Santa Monica Arson Suspect Arrested After String of Fires Across City

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Authorities used aerial drone technology to assist in the investigation A man was arrested Saturday in connection with a string...

Tai Chain to Donate Santa Monica Grand Opening Proceeds to Wildfire-Affected Restaurants

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

The restaurant’s U.S. presence began in Arcadia, Calif., in 2000, and has since expanded to 17 locations  Din Tai Fung,...

SMMUSD Makes Rain-Related Announcement About Malibu Schools This Week

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Road Closures and Flood Warnings Force the School District’s Hand All four public schools in Malibu will be closed on...

(Video) The Willows Students Bring a 50-Foot Dragon to Life Through Art and Teamwork

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Kristy Acero, The Willows DK-4th Grade Art teacher, led her students in a large-scale, collaborative project, with each grade creating...

Man Sues Famous Marina del Rey Bar for Alleged Assault

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

The plaintiff is seeking compensatory and punitive damages By Zach Armstrong A patron has sued Brennan’s Pub in Marina del...

Phase 2 Debris Removal Underway in Palisades, Officials Tout Historic Recovery Speed

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Residents Urged to Submit ROE Forms as Crews Accelerate Debris Removal Efforts Crews have begun Phase 2 of debris removal...

Powerful Storm to Bring Heavy Rains, Possible Debris Flow to Los Angeles

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Officials Warn of Risks, Urge Residents to Prepare for Severe Weather A Pacific storm system is expected to bring widespread...

One of Palisades’ First Black Homeowners Seeks Support After Fire Destroys Home

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

Now displaced, she faces uncertainty in finding stable housing Nearly $42,000 has been raised for Louvenia Jenkins, a 97-year-old woman...