Southern California wildfire prompts evacuations as Bryson Fire grows to 200 acres
Southern California wildfire prompts evacuations as Bryson Fire grows to 200 acres
Los Angeles County issues evacuation warnings across wide area; officials warn of heightened fire danger due to strong winds
Berk Kutay Gokmen
16 October 2026•Update: 16 October 2026
ISTANBUL
A wildfire burning in the hills of Malibu in Southern California grew to about 200 acres (809 decares) by nightfall, prompting evacuation warnings and orders across a wide area as officials warned of heightened fire danger due to strong winds.
The Bryson Fire broke out in the state’s Encinal Canyon area, near the Camp Kilpatrick juvenile detention facility, according to CBS News on Thursday.
Los Angeles County issued evacuation warnings and orders covering areas stretching toward Leo Carrillo State Park, Pepperdine University, and the Pacific coast.
Pepperdine said the blaze was burning about eight miles northwest of its Malibu campus, adding that winds were blowing southwest, away from the university.
“The fire does not currently pose a threat to Pepperdine’s Malibu campus,” the university said on US social media company X.
Camp Kilpatrick evacuated 38 young people from its detention facility, transferring them to Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar.
“We understand that an evacuation can be stressful for youth and their families,” the Los Angeles County Probation Department said, adding that staff were providing support and parents and legal guardians were being notified.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said city officials were closely monitoring developments, although the fire remained outside city limits.
The Los Angeles Fire Department “is prepared to respond to any fire threat that could emerge,” Bass said.
She added that resources had been positioned across several areas, including the San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica Mountains, and West Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, Southern California Edison initiated a public safety power shutoff affecting more than 60,000 residents.
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning, citing an expected moderate-to-strong Santa Ana wind event that could increase critical fire danger through Saturday.