Fire races through brush in Malibu, prompting evacuation Warnings

MALIBU, Calif. (KESQ) - Driven by fierce winds, a brush fire raced through open terrain in Malibu today, prompting the evacuation of Campus Vernon Kilpatrick probation camp and the issuance of evacuation orders and warnings.   

The Bryson Fire broke out shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday near the camp on Encinal Canyon Road west of Mulholland Highway, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.  

Within 30 minutes, the fire was estimated at about 20 acres, and by early evening it grew to just over 200 acres. Incident commanders issued a second alarm, summoning additional crews to help subdue the fire.   

Water- and retardant-dropping helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were dispatched to the scene to help subdue the flames, which were burning in largely inaccessible terrain.  

There were no reports of any injuries, and there was no immediate word on what caused the blaze.  

The fire erupted amid gusting Santa Ana winds that prompted red flag warnings of critical fire danger across much of the Southland. The warnings will be in place through at least Saturday.  

The 38 female and gender expansive youth from Campus Vernon Kilpatrick were taken to the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar, the Los Angeles County Probation Department announced.  

Evacuation warnings were issued for a large area stretching from near Malibu Road and Pacific Coast Highway to Leo Carrillo State Beach. An evacuation order was subsequently issued in the more immediate area, including Zuma and Trancas canyons.

City of Malibu spokesman Matt Myerhoff, confirmed to City News Service that a Red Cross emergency shelter was established at Agoura High School at 9 p.m.   

Myerhoff said a public safety power outage began around 3:30 p.m. Thursday in central and western Malibu due to previously forecast fire conditions. He noted that the city had been warned of a potential outage several days before the power was shut off.

"We are urging residents to monitor emergency information on AM and FM radios, using handheld radios and car radios, because that will work when the power's out,'' he said.  

Residents were advised to tune in specifically to 99.1 FM KBUU, Malibu's local radio station.