Malibu and Surrounding Areas Face High Wildfire Risk Amid Red Flag Warnings

A significant brush fire is currently being battled in the Agoura Hills area, although it does not currently pose a threat to Malibu. The fire was reported at 3:48 p.m. on November 6, 2024, and firefighters are actively working to contain it.

The broader region, including Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties, is under a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Service (NWS). This rare warning, typically issued only once every few years, alerts emergency officials and the public to an especially dangerous fire weather pattern. The warning is in effect from 9 a.m. Wednesday to 4 p.m. Wednesday for several areas, including the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, and parts of Ventura County.

The conditions are characterized by extremely low humidity and strong winds, which can lead to rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior. Santa Ana winds are expected to be particularly strong, with gusts up to 60 to 80 mph in the mountains and foothills of LA and Ventura counties, and isolated gusts of 80 to 100 mph in some areas of the San Gabriel Mountains. Coastal and valley areas could see damaging gusts of 50 to 70 mph, with humidity levels dropping to between 8 to 15 percent.

Tens of thousands of residents in the affected areas face possible power shutoffs as utilities aim to prevent wildfires that could be sparked by the electrical system. Southern California Edison has announced that about 54,861 customers could have their power shut off, with some outages already in effect. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has also warned of potential outages due to strong winds knocking down power lines.

The Western Fire Chiefs Association notes that wildfires occurring later in the fire season can be particularly destructive due to dry vegetation and intense dry winds, making the current situation even more volatile.