MALIBU, Calif., Dec. 10 (KNN) — Firefighters are battling a rapidly growing wind-driven brush fire in Malibu Canyon, putting nearby homes in immediate danger.

The fire, reported near Malibu Canyon Road and Francisco Ranch Road late Monday night, is fueled by strong winds that complicate containment efforts.

Los Angeles County Fire Department crews are on the scene, working to protect structures and prevent the fire from spreading further. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Residents in the area are advised to stay alert and follow evacuation orders if issued.

Dubbed the “Franklin Fire,” the flames prompted an overnight mandatory evacuation order east of Malibu Canyon Road, south of Pluma Road and the Sierra Retreat area, according to the LACoFD.

As of 7:43 a.m., 2,200 acres had been consumed. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna gave an update on the fire at an 8 a.m. press conference, stating that over 150 personnel, including Malibu Search and Rescue, are assisting with the fire.

Luna reported on road closures in the area, including a “soft closure” on Las Virgenes Road at Lost Hills Road, hard closures at Las Virgenes and Mulholland Highway, and closures on Pacific Coast Highway between Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Canyon Dume Road.

Luna said approximately 18,000 people and 8,100 structures are in the affected area. Two thousand forty-three of those structures are under evacuation orders, and 6,046 are under evacuation warnings.

Pepperdine University has a shelter-in-place order for approximately 800 students.

Additional updates will be added to this report.

This video compiles all KNN fire footage from overnight at the scene.

KNN team coverage: Jason Stilwell and Josiah Valenzuela, Video Journalists