Santa Ana winds fuel Malibu and Camp Pendleton fires

Strong Santa Ana winds gusting up to 70 mph have fueled wildfires in Southern California, prompting Governor Gavin Newsom to activate the state’s emergency operations center. The governor directed CAL FIRE and Cal OES to preposition additional resources and place the State Operations Center into an enhanced readiness posture to support local firefighters as critical fire weather conditions persist.

Malibu and Camp Pendleton Fires

The Bryson Fire in Malibu erupted shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday near Encinal Canyon Road and Mulholland Highway. By Friday morning, the fire had burned 146 acres and was 17% contained. Evacuation orders were issued for the Encinal Canyon area near Trancas Canyon, and the Red Cross established a shelter at Agoura High School. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department closed roads at several intersections in the affected area.

Simultaneously, the Henderson Fire ignited on U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in northern San Diego County on Thursday afternoon. The brush fire quickly expanded to 1,404 acres. The Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton has since lifted an evacuation order.

Power Outages and Warnings

More than 62,000 Southern California Edison customers in Los Angeles and Ventura counties were without power late Thursday night. Utility providers are considering implementing public safety power shutoffs for hundreds of thousands more to reduce the risk of electrical sparks igniting new wildfires. Red Flag Warnings remain in effect across portions of Southern California, with emergency officials warning that dangerous winds could cause further structural damage.