Evacuations as strong winds fuel fires near Los Angeles while region recovers from last year’s deadly blazes
Evacuations near Malibu
The Bryson Fire grew to about 81 hectares (200 acres) after being reported north of Malibu around 5 p.m. local time Thursday. The Los Angeles County juvenile detention and rehabilitation facility was evacuated Thursday night.
Winds could strengthen flames
The National Weather Service forecast stronger wind gusts overnight, raising the risk that fires could intensify. Officials advised people who feel unsafe because of a nearby fire to leave without waiting for an official alert.
Other fires across California
In Azusa, north of Los Angeles, about 200 firefighters responded to a wind-driven fire that burned more than 16 hectares (40 acres). Crews stopped its forward spread by mid-afternoon, and evacuation orders in a foothills neighborhood were downgraded to warnings.
At Camp Pendleton, a military base near San Diego, another fire burned more than 3.8 square kilometers (1.5 square miles), threatening buildings and infrastructure. Power companies cut supplies to about 127,000 customers across California to lower the risk of electrical equipment starting more fires.
Key points
- The Bryson Fire near Malibu grew to about 81 hectares (200 acres) and triggered evacuations.
- Overnight wind gusts could intensify fires, though forecasters did not expect winds to match January 2025 levels.
- The Azusa fire’s forward spread was stopped, and evacuation orders were downgraded to warnings.