Malibu fire: In California, thousands were left without power on Thursday as a fast-growing brush fire in Malibu triggered evacuation orders and strong winds heightened the risk of wildfires across the state. The Malibu fire started in the Encinal Canyon area, near the Camp Kilpatrick juvenile detention facility, at around 4:40 p.m. By nightfall, it had grown to about 200 acres.
The Los Angeles County Probation Department announced it has safely evacuated 38 female and gender expansive youth from Campus Vernon Kilpatrick in the Malibu area due to the Bryson Fire. The youths have arrived at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar, according to the department.
ReutersFirefighters battle the Bryson Fire, a wind driven wildfire in the hills east of Malibu, California, US, October 15, 2026. REUTERS/David Swanson
Camp Kilpatrick said it evacuated 38 youth from the detention center during the Malibu fire. They are being housed at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar, reported CBC News.
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"We understand that an evacuation can be stressful for youth and their families," LA County probation wrote in a statement. "Staff are available to attend to the youth's needs and provide support. Parents and legal guardians are being notified directly and will receive updates as circumstances change."
Malibu fire: No electricity for 81,000 California students
In Northern California, nearly 62,000 customers across 26 counties in the Sierra Nevada foothills, wine country and the central coast were without electricity, according to Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The company began proactively shutting off power on Wednesday night. Another 19,000 customers in Los Angeles, Kern and Ventura counties lost power on Thursday, Southern California Edison said. Weather conditions that increase the risk of fires were expected to continue through Saturday.
Why are California utilities shutting off power?
Some of California’s worst wildfires have been caused by power equipment. In recent years, utility companies have started proactively shutting off electricity during dry and windy weather to help prevent fires.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company said on Thursday that it had notified 90,000 customers across 29 counties that they could lose power.
The potential power interruption could affect customers from the Central Coast to the northern parts of the Sierra Nevada and may continue through Saturday afternoon, the company said.
ReutersFirefighters battle the Bryson Fire, a wind driven wildfire in the hills east of Malibu, California, US, October 15, 2026. REUTERS/David Swanson
Los Angeles prepares for dangerous fire weather
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who faced criticism over the city's response to deadly fires in 2025, said she had directed the fire department to deploy personnel and equipment ahead of the strong winds. The fire department has also requested assistance from the state’s office of emergency services, she said.
“It’s a pretty widespread event of elevated fire weather, so the whole SoCal region should really be on alert,” said Rose Schoenfeld, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Santa Ana winds could reach 70 mph
Dry, warm and strong northeast winds, known as Santa Anas, are expected. These winds blow from inland Southern California toward the coast and offshore. The strongest winds are forecast from Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon.
Winds could reach 20 to 40 mph (32 to 64 kph), with gusts of 50 to 70 mph (80 to 113 kph), in the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County and the Santa Susana Mountains, which are mostly in Ventura County, Schoenfeld said. Parts of the Santa Lucia Mountains in San Luis Obispo County are also expected to experience a brief period of critical fire weather conditions.
Red Flag Warning issued as wildfire risk rises
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning in Southern California after saying a moderate-to-strong Santa Ana wind event is expected to increase critical fire danger through Saturday. Such warnings are issued when weather conditions increase the risk of wildfires.
Dangerous conditions began earlier in Northern California. Some communities in the Sierra Nevada and its foothills experienced strong winds, high temperatures and low humidity starting Wednesday night, the National Weather Service said.
In Southern California, the Red Flag Warning for mountainous areas in Ventura and Los Angeles counties will remain in effect from Thursday morning through Friday night.
“We are augmenting our staffing, positioning our people and pre-deploying equipment ahead of this weather so we are ready before the first call comes in,” Los Angeles Fire Chief Jaime Moore said. “We are asking residents to do their part, too. Clear the streets, have a plan and stay informed.”
(With AP inputs)