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By Alex Backus and Taryn Pedler
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More than 7,200 structures remain threatened as the Bryson Fire keeps burning in Malibu, California, on Friday night, with evacuation orders and warnings still in effect, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Despite fierce Santa Ana winds, crews made progress Friday, bringing the fire to 39 percent containment.
Around 7,221 structures are in peril, though there are no reports of any destroyed, the department said in its Friday evening update. One firefighter has been injured.
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The fire has torched about 147 acres since breaking out shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday near the intersection of Mulholland Highway and Encinal Canyon Road.
An evacuation order was issued Thursday night for the Encinal Canyon area, with evacuation warnings extending to the beaches.
Evacuation centers have opened at Agoura High School for residents, and Agoura Animal Care Center and Pierce College for animals.
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The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity will create conditions favorable for rapid fire growth through Saturday evening. A red flag warning is also in effect for parts of Los Angeles County and Ventura County through 8 p.m. Saturday.
Newsweek has reached out to the fire department for further information.
Southern California Edison (SCE) had shut off power to approximately 39,000 customers by Thursday afternoon as dangerous fire weather increased the risk of wildfires.
"During dangerous fire weather, we may temporarily shut off power in targeted areas to reduce wildfire risk and protect customers and communities," SCE posted on X.
By Friday morning, there were a reported 38 power outages across Southern California, and 980 are scheduled.
The NWS forecasts wind gusts up to 60 mph in the area around the Bryson Fire on Friday morning into the early afternoon. Temperatures could also reach 88 degrees Friday, and the relative humidity is expected to be under 15 percent.
The fire has prompted renewed criticism of California's wildfire prevention measures.
Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed on the Bryson Fire, and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services is “coordinating support and resources to assist local first responders," Newsom's office posted on X on Thursday.
But Alex Robertson, co-lead plaintiffs' counsel in litigation arising from the Palisades Fire, criticized the state's management of the land where the Bryson Fire began.
"The Bryson fire started on and is currently burning on the SRA (State Responsibility Area) just like the Palisades Fire. Zero fire breaks and fuel modification zones thanks to Gavin Newsom’s CA State Parks. Are you paying attention yet?" Robertson wrote on X.
Newsom's press office disputed the implication that the land's designation determined responsibility for vegetation management.
"'Responsibility Area' designations indicate which government agency pays for and manages emergency wildfire response. Response in this area is paid for by the state, but managed by the county. It does not have anything to do with who is responsible for property maintenance and clearing defensible space before a fire," Newsom's press office wrote on X.
It added: "And yes, state resources — including the largest civilian aerial firefighting fleet — are currently engaged in fighting this fire, along with local responders."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said her office was also "closely monitoring" the growing wildfire.
"While the fire is burning outside of the City of Los Angeles, the LAFD is prepared to respond to any fire threat that could emerge and has pre-deployed resources across the San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica Mountains, Hollywood Hills, and West LA," Bass wrote on X on Thursday.
Newsom and Bass faced intense criticism following the devastating Palisades Fire, which began in January 2025 in the Santa Monica Mountains of Los Angeles County and spread to Malibu, which is still recovering from the damage.
About 6,845 structures were destroyed, and 12 people were killed in that blaze, according to Cal Fire.
Bass faced scrutiny over her absence from Los Angeles when the fire erupted and the city fire department's preparedness, while Newsom faced questions about water supplies after firefighters encountered low pressure and dry hydrants.
Former reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who was among those who lost his home in the fire, later announced a bid for Los Angeles mayor, criticizing state and local leaders over their handling of the disaster.
Pratt shared a video of the Bryson Fire on X, writing: "With Gavin Newsom in charge, you're on your own folks. Trust me."
The cause of the Bryson Fire is under investigation.
Malibu School Closures: What to Know
All four public schools in Malibu were closed Friday because of the Bryson Fire, according to the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
Malibu Elementary School, Malibu Middle School and Malibu High School were under evacuation warnings, while John L. Webster Elementary School was closed as a precaution.
The district said the schools were expected to reopen Monday, adding that “student and staff safety is our priority.”
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Freeway Reopens as Crews Battle Henderson Fire
Further south, crews battled another fast-moving brush fire in Camp Pendleton near Oceanside.
The Henderson Fire burned 1,118 acres since erupting just after 2:30 p.m. local time Thursday near the intersection of Henderson and Brown Streets at Camp Pendleton, according to Cal Fire.
Evacuation orders had been lifted by 8 p.m. The blaze prompted I-5 to close at Basilone Road during the evening commute, but it has since been reopened.
The cause of the Henderson Fire also remains under investigation.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Anna Commander and Edward T. Cummins
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