Contact:
Los Angeles County Coordinated Joint Information Center
CJIC@ceo.lacounty.gov

First Responders Making Steady Progress on Bryson Fire in Malibu 

Fire risk remains high across LA County with Red Flag Warning through Saturday

 

Firefighters have reached 17% containment in fighting the Bryson Fire in Malibu, which has burned 146 acres with no reported structure loss or damage and only minor injuries to fire personnel. Firefighters continue to provide for structure protection and improve control lines to limit the fire’s progression and to mitigate potential future threat.

Fire officials warned at a morning news conference that the risk of fires remains high through Saturday night and urged residents everywhere to be prepared and follow evacuation orders from officials.

“Red Flag Warnings and a heat advisory are bringing elevated to critical fire weather conditions that will continue today into Saturday,” said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone. “Moderate to locally strong Santa Ana winds, combined with low humidity and dry vegetation, will keep the fire weather threat high across LA County today and into the weekend.”

The County pre-deployed resources to address the heightened risk and more than 414 emergency personnel have been assigned to this fire.

“I especially want to thank our brave firefighters who fought through the night, who held the line to make sure that despite these challenging winds, no lives or structures were put in harm’s way,” said Third District Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has added patrols in the Malibu area to support firefighters and prevent burglaries in evacuated neighborhoods and urged residents to follow orders from officials.

“If you are asked by anyone at the County, whether it’s the Office of Emergency Management through an alert, or a deputy sheriff or a firefighter or a CHP officer, if someone comes to your home and says there’s an evacuation order, that means you need to leave now because there is an immediate threat to your life,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said.

More planned power outages are likely as utilities work to reduce fire risk.

“Residents should remain prepared for Public Safety Power Shutoffs, which could increase throughout the day,” said Kevin McGowan, Director of the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management. “These outages cause significant impacts to our communications infrastructure, traffic signals and electricity-powered medical equipment.” McGowan urged residents to charge their phones and keep backup batteries on hand.

The Bryson Fire started Thursday, October 15, at about 4:41 p.m. near Encinal Canyon Road. Evacuation orders are in effect for zones KAN-U017 and SYC-U016-A. An order means there is an immediate threat to life. Leave now.

Evacuation warnings are in effect for zones LBO-U018, CRN-U019, MLK-U020, MCR-U021-A, VST-U046, MAL-C113, MAL-C114, LEO-U015, SYC-U016-B, SYC-U016-C, SYC-U016-D and WLV-C201. A warning means residents should be ready to leave. People who need extra time, have mobility needs or have large animals should leave now.

Residents can look up their zone at protect.genasys.com or in the Genasys mobile app. If you feel unsafe or see fire near you, do not wait for an official alert to leave.

The following County roads are closed because of the Bryson Fire or Red Flag fire danger:

Santa Monica Mountains — Bryson Fire

• Encinal Canyon Road: Closed from the City of Malibu to Mulholland Highway until further notice.
• Lechusa Road: Closed between Decker Road and Encinal Canyon Road until further notice.

Angeles National Forest — Red Flag Fire Warning

• Glendora Mountain Road: Closed between Big Dalton Road and East Fork Road through 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18.
• Glendora Mountain Road: Closed between Big Dalton Canyon Road and Glendora Ridge Road through 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18.
• Glendora Ridge Road: Closed between Glendora Mountain Road and Mt. Baldy Road through 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18.

Caltrans Road Restriction

Caltrans, in coordination with Los Angeles County Public Works and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, is restricting Topanga Canyon Boulevard (State Route 27) to residents only between Mulholland Highway and Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) from 6 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, through 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16.

Motorists should use Interstate 10, U.S. 101 or Interstate 405 as alternate routes and check Caltrans QuickMap for current conditions or schedule changes.

Road conditions and access restrictions can change as fire and weather conditions develop. Do not drive around barricades. Avoid unnecessary travel through canyon and mountain areas, and follow directions from law enforcement and other public safety personnel.

Residents can view road closure information at pw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures.

Evacuation center and animal shelters

• People: Agoura High School, 28545 W. Driver Ave., Agoura Hills, CA 91301
• Pets and small animals: Agoura Animal Care Center, 29525 Agoura Blvd., Agoura Hills, CA 91301
• Large animals: Pierce College Equestrian Center, 6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills, CA 91367

What residents can do to prepare for all emergencies:

• Know your zone and evacuation plan. Find your evacuation zone at protect.genasys.com or by downloading the Genasys mobile app. Identify more than one route out of your neighborhood, a place to go and transportation for everyone in your household. Include pets and service animals. Keep your vehicle fueled or charged and know how to open your garage door during a power outage. Residents in a high-risk fire zone should have supplies, including water and daily medication, and important personal items, packed and ready to go.
• Understand evacuation instructions. An evacuation warning means there is a potential threat to life or property: prepare to leave. People who need extra time or assistance, and those evacuating large animals, should leave when a warning is issued. An evacuation order means there is an immediate threat: leave immediately. If you feel unsafe or see a fire threatening your area, do not wait for an official alert to leave.
• Use more than one source of information. Register for Alert LA County and your city’s emergency notification system. Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone, keep devices and backup batteries charged, and keep alert sounds audible overnight. Third-party resources such as Watch Duty can also be reliable sources of information in the event of an emergency and also provide critical updates in the event of a fire. Have a battery-powered radio available in case electricity, cellular service or internet access is disrupted. Check lacounty.gov/emergency for incident information and evacuation updates.
• Plan for assistance and medical needs. Older adults, people with disabilities and anyone who needs help evacuating should coordinate now with family, caregivers or neighbors. Pack medications, essential documents, medical supplies and mobility aids. If you rely on refrigerated medication or electrically powered medical or assistive equipment, fully charge devices and backup batteries and discuss a backup plan with your provider before an outage occurs.
• Prepare for power outages. Sign up for your utility’s outage and Public Safety Power Shutoff notifications. Have flashlights, batteries, drinking water and essential supplies ready. Use generators outdoors, away from doors and windows, and never indoors or in a garage. Stay away from downed power lines and call 911 to report an immediate hazard.
• Have your Ready! Set! Go! Wildfire Action Plan in place. Avoid activities that could produce sparks near dry vegetation during critical fire weather. Follow local fire restrictions, secure loose outdoor items and review the Fire Department’s Ready! Set! Go! program for additional guidance.
• Please refrain from parking on narrow roads, sharp curves, hairpin turns, and key intersection areas where parked vehicles can block access for emergency responders and trap residents during an evacuation.

For preparedness information, visit ready.lacounty.gov. Follow @ReadyLACounty, @LACoFDPIO and @LASDHQ for official updates. Call 211 for preparedness resources and referrals, including information for people with disabilities and other access and functional needs. Call 911 for an immediate threat to life or safety.