Malibu Fire Has Crews Racing Dryness, Fierce Santa Ana Winds

The Bryson Fire, a wildfire in Malibu, California, is currently being battled by over 400 firefighters, after burning just 147 acres as of 10:39 a.m. on Friday. With more than 7,200 structures at risk and only 17% of the perimeter contained, authorities are preparing for a heightened response before the upcoming multi-day Santa Ana windstorm, which could exacerbate the situation.

Gusts near the fire's location may reach 60 miles per hour by Friday afternoon, while higher elevations in the San Gabriel Mountains could see winds surpass 80 mph. Los Angeles County's Emergency Management Director, Kevin McGowan, emphasized that the period between morning and afternoon is the most critical during this red flag event.

Strong winds and extremely dry conditions are expected to cause fires to spread rapidly. The fire is situated near areas previously affected by the 2024 Franklin Fire, which destroyed 20 structures, and the 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires, which claimed 31 lives and caused billions in damages. While current conditions are not as severe as during those previous blazes, some areas have recently received rain, which may limit fire spread.

Despite this, weather service forecaster Rich Thompson noted that it is still a significant concern. As of Friday morning, one firefighter had been hospitalized with minor injuries. The largest active fire in Southern California remains the Henderson Fire in San Diego County, which has burned almost 2,100 acres and led to the closure of northbound lanes on Interstate 5 in Oceanside.

In an effort to prevent additional fires, electricity providers PG&E Corp. and Southern California Edison have shut down power to tens of thousands of customers this week. Edison International has stated that restoration work may commence as early as Saturday.