Firefighters Battle Broad Fire Along PCH in Malibu Amid Dangerous Santa Ana Winds
Update: As of 12:37 p.m. forward progress stopped. Fire held at 50 acres with 15 percent containment.
Original story:
Firefighters have been working hard to contain a fast-moving brush fire, dubbed the “Broad Fire,” which ignited near Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Malibu Canyon Road early Wednesday morning, sending waves of smoke across the Malibu coastline.
The fire, first reported around 9:30 a.m., quickly spread from 5 to 15 acres, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds gusting up to 75 mph. By 11 a.m., the fire has scorched at least 40 acres, damaging at least one home and threatening several others. Crews have been battling intense winds that are pushing flames toward the coast, creating difficult conditions for containment efforts.
Due to these conditions, a Red Flag Warning remains in effect for Malibu and surrounding areas through Thursday, with the National Weather Service cautioning residents about a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” as wind gusts could reach up to 100 mph in some areas, including the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains. Southern California Edison also warned that approximately 47,000 Los Angeles County customers could experience power outages due to public safety shutoffs during the wind event.
As a precaution, officials have closed PCH in both directions from Corral Canyon to Webb Way and advised residents along Malibu Road between Webb Way and PCH to shelter in place. City officials in Malibu are also advising residents to prepare for potential evacuations if the fire’s progression continues.
Several schools in the area, including Webster Elementary School, have assured parents that students are safe. Santa Monica College’s Malibu Campus remained closed on Wednesday, and Pepperdine University confirmed that its main campus is currently not threatened, though it is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with local fire authorities.
In addition to the Broad Fire, another blaze in Ventura County has grown to 250 acres near Moorpark, prompting evacuation orders as firefighters contend with similar wind-driven flames.
Residents across Southern California are urged to remain vigilant and prepare for potential outages as the dangerous Santa Ana conditions are expected to persist into Thursday evening.
Videos and photos courtesy of Matt Diamond
