Malibu wildfire spreads over 100 acres, triggers evacuations amid strong winds

A wildfire in Malibu expanded to more than 100 acres on Thursday evening, prompting evacuation orders for areas including Zuma and Trancas canyons, according to smdp.com. The fire threatened a Los Angeles County juvenile detention and rehabilitative facility as it spread through brush in the Santa Monica Mountains.

The blaze was driven by hot, windy weather conditions known as Santa Ana winds, which also caused utility companies to shut off power to tens of thousands of customers across Southern California, including parts of Los Angeles County, reported smdp.com and KTLA 5.

Officials issued evacuation warnings and orders to residents in the affected Malibu areas to ensure safety as the fire rapidly expanded. Firefighters were deployed with assistance requested from the state's office of emergency services to contain the fire amid forecasts of increased wind gusts overnight, as noted by smdp.com.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass directed the fire department to deploy personnel and equipment ahead of the winds, responding to the elevated fire risk across Southern California. The National Weather Service urged the region to remain alert due to widespread elevated fire weather conditions, according to smdp.com.

Additional fires were reported in Azusa and Camp Pendleton, with evacuation orders issued in those locations as well. Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric proactively shut off power to reduce the risk of fires sparked by power equipment during the dry, windy weather, smdp.com reported.