Strong winds fuel fires near Los Angeles as the region recovers from last year's deadly blazes

Several brush fires burned across southern California on Friday, forcing evacuations near Malibu as hot, dry winds fueled the flames.

The rapidly spreading Bryson Fire grew to about 81 hectares (200 acres) and threatened a Los Angeles County juvenile detention and rehabilitation facility, which was evacuated Thursday night.

What is happening near Malibu?

Authorities ordered residents to leave the Encinal Canyon area near Malibu, a coastal town west of Los Angeles. Surrounding parts of the Santa Monica Mountains were placed under evacuation warnings.

The National Weather Service forecast stronger gusts overnight that could intensify the fires.

The Bryson Fire was first reported around 5 p.m. local time Thursday (0000 GMT Friday), north of Malibu. A large plume of dark smoke rose above the hills and could be seen from miles away.

Los Angeles County officials urged residents to follow emergency instructions and check on neighbors who might need help, if safe to do so.

"If you feel unsafe due to a fire nearby ... do not wait for an official alert to leave," officials said.

California prepares for effects of strong El Nino

The blaze was burning about 32 kilometers (20 miles) west of the area devastated by the Palisades Fire in January 2025.

Where else are firefighters battling blazes?

In Azusa, north of Los Angeles, about 200 firefighters tackled a wind-driven fire that burned more than 16 hectares (40 acres).

Crews stopped its forward spread by mid-afternoon, and evacuation orders for a neighborhood in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains were downgraded to warnings.

Further south, a fire at Camp Pendleton, a military base near San Diego, 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 reduce the risk of electrical equipment sparking further fires.

The Palisades and Eaton fires killed 31 people in the Los Angeles area in January 2025. Forecasters said the current winds were not expected to reach the strength recorded during those disasters.

Edited by: Natalie Muller

If you rely on our team for trusted reporting, please take a moment to select us as your Preferred Source on Google, so you'll always see our verified news first.