Malibu fire rages as improving weather brings hope for thousands who fled

More than 1,500 firefighters battle blaze as weather conditions are forecast to improve, aiding crews in efforts

Crews struggled to contain a wind-driven blaze that forced more than 10,000 to evacuate the canyons of Malibu, California, on Wednesday, even as forecasters said improving weather significantly diminished high fire danger.

Residents waited anxiously to see whether their properties had been spared by the Franklin fire, which erupted late on Monday and grew to more than 6 sq miles by Wednesday morning. The blaze was just 7% contained on Wednesday afternoon.