Santa Ana Winds Fuel Wildfires Across Southern California, Forcing Evacuations

As predicted earlier in the week, a major Santa Ana event has fueled a series of wildfires across Southern California. Here is the latest on this dangerous situation that has forced evacuations and cut off power to thousands.

Santa Ana Winds Support Development of Wildfires in Southern California

Potent Santa Ana winds are pairing with high temperatures and low humidity levels to create dangerous fire conditions across a large swath of Southern California. Several fires have ignited over the last several hours, with forecasters warning that this threat will persist through the weekend.

The Bryson Fire was first reported at about 5 pm Thursday near Malibu's Encinal Canyon Road. According to CAL FIRE, the fire has burned nearly 200 acres with 17% containment as of Friday afternoon. The dry vegetation that makes up the landscape of this area near the Santa Monica Mountains is serving as tinder for the flames.

Thick plumes of smoke have been seen rising over the community of Malibu as the Bryson Fire expands. The fire prompted mandatory evacuations in some parts of Encinal Canyon, with several other communities put under evacuation warnings. A juvenile detention center in Los Angeles was also evacuated as the fire grew closer.

There are over 285 firefighters on the scene of the Bryson Fire, hoping to keep the strengthening winds from sending the flames farther. The Bryson Fire is burning about 20 miles west of where the deadly Palisades Fire erupted in January of 2025.

The Associated Press confirmed that over 160,000 customers were left without power on Friday as local utility companies triggered preventive shutoffs.