'Devastating event:' See Franklin Fire's damage in photos, videos

The "fast-growing" Franklin Fire has wreaked havoc in Southern California since Monday night, prompting officials to issue mandatory evacuations, air quality alerts and close roads as they work to extinguish the blaze.

The natural disaster, fueled by the Santa Ana winds, began around 10:52 p.m. Monday. It quickly began burning through thousands of acres of land across Malibu in a matter of days, impacting multiple structures and homes, including that of Hollywood legend Dick Van Dyke, according to reporting by The Desert Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Over 1,500 firefighters from local, state and federal fire agencies have responded to the wind-fueled brushfire, which has reached 7% containment and scorched over 3,000 acres overnight.

Winds conditions currently fueling the fire are expected to improve throughout the day and end by Wednesday evening. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

"Our thoughts are with all those affected by this devastating event," the City of Malibu said in a statement posted to X early Wednesday morning.

Is Malibu still on fire? Franklin Fire smoke prompts air quality alerts.

See damage from Franklin Fire in videos, photos

Franklin Fire has burned through multiple structures, including homes, vehicles and natural wildlife in the last 72 hours. Malibu residents in or along the fire zone have been left to find ways to get to safety, desperate to hear news of whether their home or businesses were one of over a dozen structures damaged or destroyed by the fire.

Road closures, including along the Pacific Coast Highway, and mandatory evacuation orders for select neighborhoods were still in place as of Wednesday afternoon.

Franklin Fire Map

Contributing: Julia Gomez, Jeanine Santucci, Doyle Rice, Terry Collins, Thao Nguyen, Cheri Carlson, Ernesto Centeno Araujo; USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Franklin Fire: See photos, videos of damage in California