Brushfire Erupts in Malibu, Prompting Evacuation Warnings and Power Shutoffs
The Bryson Fire quickly spread to 20 acres in western Malibu Thursday afternoon.
A wind-fueled brushfire, dubbed the Bryson Fire, erupted in western Malibu on Thursday afternoon, rapidly spreading to 20 acres and prompting evacuation warnings as firefighters worked to contain the flames. The blaze ignited around 4:40 p.m. near Mulholland Highway and Encinal Canyon Road, close to Camp Kilpatrick.
The fire escalated from approximately half an acre to five acres within 15 minutes, driven by winds through medium brush and pushing southward. Evacuation warnings were issued for zones KAN-U017, LEO-U015, and SYC-U016, urging residents in affected areas to monitor official alerts and prepare for potential evacuation.
Initial reports from emergency crews at the scene indicated that no structures were immediately threatened. The fire began as power was shut off in central and western Malibu around 4 p.m., affecting traffic signals in the vicinity. Fire crews dispatched additional ground and aerial resources to combat the spreading blaze. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.