By Davan 
MALIBU, Calif. (KABC) — As most of Southern California sits under a red flag warning, a brush fire broke out Monday night in Malibu Canyon, spreading rapidly on hillsides and reaching Pepperdine University.
The fire was reported just before 11 p.m. in the area of Malibu Canyon Road north of Pacific Coast Highway and was initially estimated at just about 10 acres but grew to more than 1,800 acres in about four hours.
A high volume of dry brush in the area and strong Santa Ana winds led to the potential for the blaze to continue to spread rapidly.
Evacuation orders and warnings
Evacuations were ordered in the area east of Malibu Canyon Road and south of Piuma Road, north of Pacific Coast Highway, east of Las Virgenes Road and Malibu Road and west of Carbon Beach Terrace as well as the Serra Retreat, a Catholic conference center perched on 26 acres of hilltop land.
Evacuation warnings were issued for: East of Las Virgenes between Mulholland Highway to the north and Piuma Road to the south. Between Stunt Road to the north and Los Flores to the south. East of Carbon Beach Terrace, west of Old Malibu Road, north of Pacific Crest highway to the evacuation order boundary.
Fire officials said the evacuation order area encompassed about 6,000 people and more than 2,000 structures.
The evacuation warning area covered 12,500 people and more than 6,000 structures.
A temporary evacuation facility was established at the Palisades Recreation Center, 851 Alma Real Drive, Pacific Palisades. Large animals were also accepted there. The American Red Cross was providing services at the facility as well.
A large animal shelter was also available at Pierce College in Woodland Hills.
By 1 a.m. it appeared the flames had reached the Serra Retreat and were starting to burn outbuildings but specific damage to buildings was difficult to observe at night under heavy smoke cover.
Structures consumed by Franklin Fire
The fire had also jumped Malibu Canyon Road.
Pepperdine on alert
The wildfire was reaching the edges of the Pepperdine campus, according to several videos posted online by students. The university was also reporting power outages on campus. Students were being told to stay on campus and shelter in place, but they should be prepared to leave if necessary.
“The University is now activating its shelter-in-place protocol,” the school posted on X just after 1 a.m. “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. We do not evacuate the campus even when surrounding areas might – this shelter-in-place protocol is approved by LA County Fire and executed with their cooperation.”
Some videos showed trees on fire near the library where students were sheltering inside.
The school announced classes, including final exams for the semester, and other operations would be canceled Tuesday.
Firefighting helicopters were dipping into the school’s lakes in Alumni Park to help with water drops.
Pepperdine students prepare as Franklin Fire advances
It appeared the flames were blowing south in the direction of Santa Monica.
Pacific Coast Highway was closed from Carbon Canyon to Corral Canyon.
One owner of a small clothing shop in the area said he was sticking around to try to protect his building and his neighbors’ businesses with water. He also jumped into action to help a neighbor whose horse got loose.
This isn’t our first rodeo in Malibu. It’s kind of like a way of life.Malibu business owner
Dustin said residents and business owners in the area have experienced fires before.
“This isn’t our first rodeo in Malibu,” Dustin said. “It’s kind of like a way of life. If you want something to stay up, stay here and fight it.”
Details on evacuation areas, road closures, animal shelters and other emergency issues are available from Los Angeles County here.
There were no immediate reports of injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Multiple firefighting agencies, including Los Angeles city and county, Orange County and Ventura County, dispatched multiple aircraft and engine crews.
Strong Santa Ana winds returned to Southern California on Monday and a red-flag warning was in place through Wednesday night. The winds are expected to grow stronger on Tuesday.
Because of the red flag warning, fire officials noted that a strike team was predeployed in the area and was able to respond quickly when the fire was first reported.
Red flag warning issued for Southern California
DEVELOPING: This story is being updated as information becomes available.
Live now: