A wildfire that broke out in Malibu, a coastal city near Los Angeles, rapidly spread due to strong winds, prompting evacuation orders for residents. More than 120,000 households across California experienced power outages as a precaution against wildfire risks.
According to AP and AFP reports, the fire started around 5 p.m. local time on October 15 in northern Malibu and quickly spread to surrounding areas.
As of 6:30 p.m. that day, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) reported that the fire had affected an area of 101 acres. Authorities in Los Angeles County issued evacuation orders and alerts for residents in the affected areas, including Malibu. Local firefighting teams are working to contain the blaze, but they are facing challenges due to hot, dry weather and strong winds.
Widespread power outages have also occurred throughout California. Approximately 62,000 households in the northern region and about 65,000 in the southern region, including Los Angeles, have been affected by power supply interruptions.
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), which supplies power to northern California, has shut off electricity in some areas as a precaution against the risk of fire spread. Southern California Edison (SCE), the power company for the southern region, is also considering additional power shutoffs that could impact 207,000 households.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has forecasted that weather conditions conducive to wildfire risks will persist through the weekend. As a result, fire risk warnings have been issued for northern and central California until the morning of October 16, and for mountainous areas of Los Angeles County and some southern regions until the evening of October 16.
The NWS stated, "Weather conditions that elevate wildfire risks are widespread," urging residents to remain vigilant.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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