Visitors aren’t expected to top last year’s 700,000 figure, but authorities say there’s no escaping congestion along the coastline and canyon roads.
By Melissa Caskey / Special to The Malibu Times
As visitors prepare to descend on Malibu to celebrate America’s birthday, city and county officials are bracing for packed beach crowds Wednesday on the Fourth of July.
The county fire department does not have an estimate of the potential crowd, though officials expect it to be fewer than last year’s number of 700,000 visitors. Still, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department plans on staffing extra deputies on its beach patrol along Malibu and is also preparing for major traffic, especially along Malibu Road.
“It usually gets gridlocked by the afternoon,” Malibu/Lost Hills traffic Sgt. Phil Brooks said.
The beach patrol plans to deploy deputies on horseback as well as multiple DUI checkpoints and speed enforcement units. Deputies also plan to focus on patrolling beaches for illegal fireworks and alcohol consumption. Brooks would not disclose the number of deputies expected to be staffed on the Fourth of July, but called the number “substantial.”
To monitor canyon roads and as part of the traffic safety program Operation Safe Canyons, Brooks also said an increased number of units will be deployed along canyon roads.
Brad Davis, the city’s emergency services coordinator, said there is not any foreseeable threat to the city or public safety during this year’s holiday and emphasized the unavoidable gridlock drivers will face.
“This biggest complication that we have in Malibu is traffic,” Davis said.
Towing company Malibu Towing Inc. plans on running 10 or 11 tow trucks Wednesday in order to keep up with the typical holiday demand, especially at Zuma Beach.
“There’s a big misconception with why police tow at Zuma Beach,” Malibu Towing owner Adail Gayhart said. “They need to keep roadways clear for the [public] bus and for fire trucks or ambulances when there’s an emergency.”
While officials expect lots of visitors, county fire officials do not believe the number will approach last year’s count of 700,000. Mickey Gallagher, a section chief of the lifeguard division for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, said the 2011 holiday attracted a high volume to the beaches because of hot inland weather. During last year’s packed celebration, the lifeguard division reported 157 medical assists, 75 rescues and sheriffs reported one major emergency incident when a person suffered a broken leg in a car accident on Piuma and Malibu Canyon roads.
Preparation each year is partially dependent on which day of the week the Fourth of July falls on, Gallagher said. This year it is on a Wednesday.
“Traditionally we have a lot of people come in early [on Wednesdays], but they have to go to work the next day so they don’t stay that late,” Gallagher said.
Many are sure to stick around, though, as four fireworks shows will light the night sky from offshore barges beginning at 9 p.m.
At least one lifeguard is staffed at every watchtower in Malibu this year, and certain towers will house two or three lifeguards.
“We’re bumping up the staff level as though it would be a normal weekend day,” Gallagher said. “We’re not anticipating maximum capacity.”
Gallagher advised beachgoers to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, abide by Malibu beach laws and alert authorities immediately if a need for medical assistance arises.
“Anytime you get a large number of people together, the potential starts to increase for the number of medical calls,” Gallagher said.
Common medical emergencies on the Fourth of July include stings from stingrays, twisted ankles, bike path accidents and malnutrition among those who stay in the water for long periods without breaking for food.
Another factor officials take into consideration when planning for the holiday is the local water forecast. Given that surf is low as of late and water temperature remains in the 60s, Gallagher said less people tend to spend time in the water.