Bryson Fire explodes to 200 acres in Malibu as Santa Ana winds cut power to 63,000 homes

Wind-driven Santa Ana conditions have fuelled the Bryson Fire as it raced through western Malibu, exploding from half an acre to more than 200 acres within hours of breaking out near Encinal Canyon Road on Thursday. Thirty-eight young detainees were evacuated from Camp Kilpatrick juvenile detention facility as the fire pushed toward the coast. A red flag warning covering Los Angeles and Ventura counties runs through Saturday evening, with overnight gusts of up to 60mph expected.

Evacuation orders reach as far as Leo Carrillo State Park and Pepperdine University, and the American Red Cross has opened an emergency shelter at Agoura High School.

Southern California Edison cut power to more than 63,000 customers across Los Angeles and Ventura counties in a precautionary public safety shutoff tied to the fire weather emergency.

The National Weather Service warns that current conditions rank only a single tier below the rare "particularly dangerous situation" alert that preceded January 2025's devastating Palisades firestorm.