A fast-moving brush fire tore through dry canyon country near Malibu on Thursday evening, exploding from a small roadside blaze into a 200-acre wildfire in a matter of hours. The Bryson Fire, reported shortly before 5 p.m. local time near Encinal Canyon Road, forced evacuation orders in parts of Malibu, triggered sweeping preventative power shutoffs across Southern California, and stretched fire crews already battling other blazes fanned by gusting Santa Ana winds.
By Thursday night, water- and retardant-dropping helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were working the fire from above as incident commanders called a second alarm to bring in more crews. The flames were burning in largely inaccessible terrain, officials said, and the National Weather Service warned that the winds driving the fire would keep strengthening overnight.
Bryson Fire Malibu: What We Know So Far
The blaze moved with frightening speed. Within 30 minutes it was estimated at about 20 acres, City News Service reported, citing fire officials. It reached 80 acres just after 6 p.m., then nearly doubled to about 102 acres an hour later. By 9:30 p.m., authorities said it had grown to an estimated 200 acres.
According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, it was first spotted near Mulholland Highway and Encinal Canyon Road just before 5 p.m. on Thursday, in the 400 block of Encinal Canyon Road, north of Malibu. The cause is under investigation, and there was no immediate word on what started the blaze, according to City News Service.
For now, the fire is one of several Southern California crews confronted on Thursday. The Ventura County Star reported that firefighters also responded to the Cornell Fire near Santa Paula earlier in the afternoon — its evacuation warning was lifted around 2:30 p.m. — along with a smaller spot fire near Fillmore. Those incidents were separate from the Bryson Fire.
Evacuation Orders and Warnings
As the fire grew, the Los Angeles County Fire Department issued an evacuation order for the Encinal Canyon area of Malibu, with surrounding areas placed under evacuation warnings. City News Service reported that the warning area was large, stretching from near Malibu Road and Pacific Coast Highway out to Leo Carrillo State Beach, while the mandatory order covered the more immediate zone, including Zuma and Trancas canyons.
The evacuation also reached a vulnerable population: 38 female and gender-expansive youth from the Campus Vernon Kilpatrick probation camp were moved to the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar, the Los Angeles County Probation Department announced, after the fire broke out near the camp.
Los Angeles County officials urged residents to "follow fire and law enforcement directions" and check on neighbors who might need help. They added: "If you feel unsafe due to a fire nearby…do not wait for an official alert to leave." The sheriff's department added that fire conditions could change rapidly and told residents to keep clear of the area so crews could work.
A Red Cross emergency shelter opened at Agoura High School, at 28545 W. Driver Ave., for residents forced out of their homes, according to fire authorities and the City of Malibu. Malibu spokesman Matt Myerhoff told City News Service that the city was urging residents to monitor emergency information on AM and FM radios — including 99.1 FM KBUU, Malibu's local station — since some households lost power and could not rely on the usual channels.
Santa Ana Winds Fueling the Fire Danger
The fire erupted in the middle of a dangerous wind event. The National Weather Service had issued a red flag warning for most local areas from Thursday through Saturday, forecasting critical fire conditions. The strongest winds were expected in Ventura and Los Angeles counties through Friday afternoon, with gusts reaching up to 70 mph in some spots, the Ventura County Star reported. Forecasters described gusty conditions around the blaze, with winds expected to keep increasing Thursday evening and peak overnight into Friday morning.
Agence France-Presse reported that the weather service forecast northeast-to-east winds of 32 to 65 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching 80 to 110 kph, and kept the red flag warning in place through Saturday evening — a signal of continued extreme fire danger.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Thursday evening that her office was "closely monitoring the Bryson Fire in Malibu," noting the fire was outside the city limits but that the Los Angeles Fire Department had predeployed resources across the San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica Mountains, Hollywood Hills, and West LA.
Power Shutoffs Hit Tens of Thousands
Even before the fire ignited, utilities had begun cutting power to prevent new blazes. Southern California Edison shut off electricity for more than 25,000 local customers and an additional 48,000 in neighboring Los Angeles and Kern counties as of Thursday night, as part of its preventative Public Safety Power Shutoffs program. The shutoffs de-energize lines so wind-blown debris cannot spark new fires — but crews must patrol for damage before restoring service, so power may not return quickly once the winds die down.
Why It Matters
The Bryson Fire is burning in a region that has barely had time to recover. It is located about 32 kilometers west of where the Palisades Fire ravaged wide areas of Los Angeles in 2025. The Palisades Fire, along with the Eaton Fire, displaced thousands of residents and killed 31 people, according to Agence France-Presse — a scar still fresh in Southern California's memory.
The timing also matters. Santa Ana wind events in October have historically produced some of California's most destructive fires, and this week's red flag warning stretches through Saturday. With tens of thousands already without power and evacuation orders active, the fire is testing the region's wildfire defenses at the most dangerous point of fire season.
What Happens Next
The immediate question is containment. The fire was reported at 0% containment in Thursday-night updates, and crews will work through Friday to build lines around it in difficult terrain. The weather is the biggest variable, with winds expected to keep gusting through Friday and the red flag warning lasting through Saturday evening.
Residents in the warning zones should stay ready to leave at short notice, keep essential belongings, medications, and documents packed, and follow instructions from fire and law enforcement personnel.
Key Takeaways
- The Bryson Fire broke out Thursday evening near Encinal Canyon Road in Malibu and reached an estimated 200 acres by night.
- Los Angeles County fire officials issued evacuation orders for the Encinal Canyon area, including Zuma and Trancas canyons, plus wide evacuation warnings.
- 38 youth from the Campus Vernon Kilpatrick probation camp were evacuated to Sylmar.
- A Red Cross shelter opened at Agoura High School; a public safety power outage hit central and western Malibu.
- Southern California Edison shut off power to more than 73,000 customers across the region as a preventative measure.
- No injuries were reported Thursday night; the cause remains under investigation, with gusting Santa Ana winds expected through Saturday.
FAQs
Where is the Bryson Fire burning?
The Bryson Fire is burning in the hills north of Malibu, California, in Los Angeles County. It was reported in the 400 block of Encinal Canyon Road, near Mulholland Highway and Encinal Canyon Road, and is burning in largely inaccessible terrain west of the Ventura County line.
How big is the Bryson Fire?
The fire grew extremely fast. It was estimated at about 20 acres within 30 minutes of being reported, reached about 102 acres by early evening, and hit an estimated 200 acres by 9:30 p.m. Thursday. At the time of Thursday-night reports, it was at 0% containment.
Who has been ordered to evacuate?
The Los Angeles County Fire Department issued an evacuation order for the Encinal Canyon area of Malibu, including Zuma and Trancas canyons. Evacuation warnings covered a much larger area, stretching from near Malibu Road and Pacific Coast Highway to Leo Carrillo State Beach. Residents should check official evacuation maps for current zones.
Where can evacuees go?
A Red Cross emergency shelter opened for residents at Agoura High School, located at 28545 W. Driver Ave. Malibu officials also urged residents to monitor 99.1 FM KBUU, the city's local radio station, for emergency updates, since power outages affected communications.
Were there any injuries or damage?
No injuries had been reported as of Thursday night, according to City News Service. There was no immediate word from officials on property damage, and the cause of the fire remained under investigation. Firefighters continued working through the night amid the strong winds.
What is causing the fire to spread so fast?
Powerful Santa Ana winds are driving the fire. The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for the area through Saturday evening, forecasting northeast-to-east winds with gusts reaching up to 70 mph in some spots — conditions in which wildfires start easily and spread rapidly.
Is the Bryson Fire related to the Palisades Fire?
No, it is a new and separate fire. It is, however, burning about 32 kilometers west of where the devastating 2025 Palisades Fire struck. The Palisades Fire, along with the Eaton Fire, displaced thousands and killed 31 people, making Southern Californians especially alert to new blazes in the area.
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Sources
- Ventura County Star — Crews respond to Bryson Fire; thousands without power amid Santa Anas
- Free Malaysia Today (AFP) — Brush fire prompts an evacuation order along Los Angeles coast
- TheWrap — Malibu Brush Fire Sparks Evacuation Orders as Blaze Grows to 200 Acres
- MyNewsLA (City News Service) — Brush Fire Races Through Brush, Prompting Evacuation Warnings
By GlobalDeskNews Staff | 16 October 2026