Update (9:37pm EDT): The Bryson Fire in Malibu has now grown to 101.5 acres, as per Watch Duty. There is no containment so far.
According to Watch Duty, Zone KAN-U017 has been upgraded to an Evacuation Order (Level 3 – Go).
Evacuation Warnings (Level 2 – Set) are in place for Zones CRN-U019, LBO-U018, LEO-U015, MAL-C113, MAL-C114, MCR-U021-A, MLK-U020, SYC-U016, VST-U046 and WLV-C201.
Zone MCR-U021 has been split in two. MCR-U021-A is still under an Evacuation Warning, while MCR-U021-B has returned to Normal status.
Update (8:57pm): The Bryson Fire has grown to about 40 acres, according to the helicopter coordinator (HLCO). The fire is spreading, with new flames and spot fires appearing near its front. The coordinator said the fire could reach Encinal Canyon Road in about 10 minutes.
Initial story: A fire named Bryson Fire has broken out in Malibu, Los Angeles County, California, as per Watch Duty. The fire is now 20 acres in size, and there is no containment so far.
Where the fire is burning
According to Watch Duty, the Bryson Fire is burning on Encinal Canyon Road, west of Mulholland Highway, in Malibu.
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How the fire started and grew
According to fire radio traffic, as per the New York Post, the Bryson Fire broke out around 4:40pm local time near Mulholland Highway and Encinal Canyon Road, close to Camp Kilpatrick.
The fire grew from roughly a half-acre to five acres in about 15 minutes. It was burning through medium brush and pushing south.
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Evacuation warnings
As per Watch Duty, Evacuation Warnings (Level 2 – Set) have been issued for Zones KAN-U017, LEO-U015 and SYC-U016.
Residents can check the fire map and evacuation updated here.
Residents in the affected areas should monitor official alerts and prepare to leave if conditions worsen.
Power shutoffs in the area
As per the New York Post, the fire broke out as power was shut off in central and western Malibu around 4pm local time. This affected traffic signals in the area.
According to SCE’s website, nearly 39,000 customers in Los Angeles County had their power cut due to safety concerns as of Thursday afternoon. Another 76,000 customers in the county were being considered for possible power shutoffs. More than 24,000 customers are without power across neighboring Ventura County.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.