Bryson

Forward progress halted in Encinal Canyon while evacuation orders remain active

The Bryson Fire is burning in chaparral in the Santa Monica Mountains north of Malibu, near Encinal Canyon Road and Mulholland Highway. After igniting with rapid spread and active spotting, nocturnal air drops and ground crews halted the fire's forward progress and established perimeter lines. Firefighters are holding containment lines and defending structures, though canyon communities remain threatened under critical fire weather.

Evacuations and Closures

• Mandatory evacuation orders are in place as of October 16 for zones KAN-U017 and SYC-U016-A in the Encinal Canyon area.
• Evacuation warnings are active as of October 16 for zones CRN-U019, LBO-U018, LEO-U015, MAL-C113, MAL-C114, MCR-U021-A, MLK-U020, SYC-U016-B, SYC-U016-C, SYC-U016-D, VST-U046, and WLV-C201.
• An emergency evacuation shelter opened October 16 at Agoura High School on West Driver Avenue in Agoura Hills.
• Animal shelters opened October 16 at Agoura Animal Care Center on Agoura Road for small pets, and Pierce College Equestrian Center in Woodland Hills for large animals and equines.
• Road closures in effect as of October 16 include Encinal Canyon Road between Malibu and Mulholland Highway, Lechusa Road between Decker Road and Encinal Canyon Road, Decker Road at Encinal Canyon Road, Kanan Road at Mulholland Highway, and Mulholland Highway at Westlake Boulevard.
• Campus Vernon Kilpatrick in Malibu was evacuated on October 15, with residents relocated to Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar.
• All Zuma Beach parking lots and restrooms are closed until further notice due to a fire-related power outage.
• The Getty Villa, nearby state parks, and Malibu public schools closed on October 16 due to fire activity and extreme winds.

Impact

Officials confirmed on October 16 that no homes or structures have been damaged or destroyed, while one firefighter was injured on October 16 during suppression operations. Preemptive Public Safety Power Shutoffs and related utility outages affected canyon neighborhoods and Zuma Beach facilities, while prevailing winds kept smoke moving away from nearby university campuses.

Conditions and Outlook

A Red Flag Warning remains in effect through Saturday evening due to gusty Santa Ana winds and dry conditions, before northeast winds ease and shift onshore early next week with improving humidity and a slight chance of rain. Fire behavior is expected to remain minimal with creeping and isolated torching, allowing crews to focus on structure defense, mopping up hot spots, and establishing secondary containment lines.

Cause and Context

The cause of the fire remains undetermined and under investigation by authorities as of October 16. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has deployed extra patrol units across evacuated neighborhoods to secure property.

Official updates current through October 17, 2026.