Wind-fueled wildfire breaks out in Malibu as power cut to thousands of homes

A wind-fueled brushfire raced through western Malibu Thursday, exploding to at least 40 acres in about an hour as fierce Santa Ana winds fanned the flames near a juvenile detention facility and prompted evacuation orders.

Dubbed the Bryson Fire, the blaze broke out shortly before 5 p.m. near Encinal Canyon Road and Mulholland Highway, close to Los Angeles County’s Camp Kilpatrick, according to fire officials.

The flames quickly tore through thick brush, growing from roughly a half-acre to five acres in just 15 minutes before ballooning to 20 acres within 30 minutes. By about an hour after ignition, the fire had scorched at least 40 acres, with wind-driven spot fires erupting ahead of the main blaze.

An evacuation order and warnings were issued across a broad swath of western Malibu, extending to Leo Carrillo State Park and the coast. Residents in affected areas were urged to monitor official alerts and be ready to flee if conditions deteriorate.

Evacuation Order:
•KAN-U017

Evacuation Warning:
•LEO-U015
•MAL-C113
•MAL-C114
•SYC-U016

There were no immediate reports of injuries, and officials had not determined what sparked the blaze. No structures were immediately threatened in initial reports from crews at the scene.

The fire erupted as powerful Santa Ana winds battered the Southland, prompting red flag warnings for critical fire danger across much of the region through at least Saturday.

The dangerous conditions also triggered widespread utility shutoffs. Power was cut in central and western Malibu around 4 p.m. Thursday, affecting traffic signals, as public safety power shutoffs remained in effect for more than 63,000 Southern California customers — including nearly 58,000 in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

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