Malibu (United States) (AFP) – A brush fire in the mountains west of Los Angeles prompted evacuation warnings from officials on Thursday, as powerful winds risked spreading the blaze rapidly. The incident, dubbed the Bryson Fire by fire officials, was first reported around 5 pm local time (0000 GMT) north of Malibu, California.
It had spread to 101 acres (41 hectares) as of 6:30 pm Thursday (0130 GMT Friday), according to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). The Los Angeles County Fire Department issued an evacuation order for the Encinal Canyon area of Malibu, with surrounding areas under evacuation warnings.
The US National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for the area through Saturday evening, indicating weather conditions such as high winds and low humidity could risk high wildfire activity. The agency forecast northeast to east winds ranging from 20 to 40 miles per hour (32 to 65 kilometers per hour), with gusts up to 50 to 70 mph (80 to 110 kph).
“Follow fire and law enforcement directions. Check on neighbors who may need assistance if able to safely do so,” Los Angeles County officials said in an emergency warning to residents. “If you feel unsafe due to a fire nearby… do not wait for an official alert to leave.”
The Bryson Fire was burning about 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of the location of the Palisades fire, which ravaged wide swaths of Los Angeles in 2025 along with the Eaton Fire, displacing thousands and killing 31 people.
© 2024 AFP
