Wildfire Near Malibu Explodes To 100 Acres, Prompts Evacuation Orders

MALIBU, CA — A fast-moving brush fire in the mountains north of Malibu grew to over 100 acres by 6:30 p.m. Thursday, prompting evacuation orders as powerful Santa Ana winds fueled the flames.

The Bryson Fire broke out shortly before 5 p.m. in the 400 block of Encinal Canyon Road, west of Mulholland Highway, near Los Angeles County's Camp Kilpatrick juvenile detention facility, according to fire officials.

The blaze initially burned about 2 acres before growing to 5 acres by 5:15 p.m., KTLA reported, citing Watch Duty.

Within 30 minutes, the fire was estimated at about 20 acres, and within an hour it was at least 35 acres, including various spot fires that erupted as winds pushed the flames forward. Incident commanders issued a second alarm, summoning additional crews to help subdue the fire.

Shortly after 6 p.m., authorities said the fire had grown to 80 acres and that fire activity was increasing. Thirty minutes later, Cal Fire said the blaze had grown to 101.5 acres.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department issued evacuation warnings around 5:30 p.m. for communities near Mulholland Highway. The warnings extended toward Leo Carrillo State Park and the coast.

By 6 p.m., the warning for KAN-U017 — a large zone centered around Kanan Dume Road — was upgraded to an evacuation order. And evacuation warnings were issued for additional zones in the city of Malibu around Point Dume.

Water-dropping helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were dispatched to battle the flames.

Malibu officials urged residents to prepare for possible evacuations, warning that the combination of strong winds, low humidity and high temperatures could allow the fire to spread rapidly.

The fire erupted as red flag warnings remained in effect across Malibu, the Santa Monica Mountains and much of Los Angeles County through Saturday night.

Southern California Edison had already shut off electricity to parts of central and western Malibu as a precaution against wildfires.

The city of Agoura Hills was also monitoring the blaze but said there was no immediate threat to the community, KTLA reported.

Residents can monitor evacuation warnings and orders through the Genasys Protect evacuation map.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation. No injuries or structural damage had been confirmed in initial reports.

City News Service contributed to this report.