Amid critically dangerous Santa Ana winds, a fire scorched 50 acres of brush and damaged three homes in Malibu Wednesday, but there were no reports of injuries.
The Broad Fire was reported about 9:10 a.m. near Pacific Coast Highway and Malibu Canyon Road, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The fire was knocked down in the late morning, a public information officer with the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station told City News Service.
A shelter in place order was issued for Malibu Road from Webb Way west to Pacific Coast Highway and lifted in the late morning, officials said.
All lanes of Pacific Coast Highway were closed from Corral Canyon to Webb Way, and backup power generators for traffic signals were brought to the area, Malibu city officials reported on X.
“Three homes were damaged, but fortunately, there were no injuries. Thanks to the county sheriff’s department, a shelter-in-place order was quickly issued to protect the residents on Malibu Road,” Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart said.
The fire erupted amid a red flag warning of critical fire danger due to fierce Santa Ana winds and low humidity.
According to Stewart, a widespread power outage has affected many residents in western Malibu due to a Southern California Edison public safety power shutoff. Several other areas were also expected to experience power outages.
Nearby Pepperdine University reported no impact on its operations, although it advised students of the road closure in the area.