RED FLAG WARNING FOR MALIBU FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15 - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16
UPDATE – 10/14/21 – Red Flag Warning for Malibu in effect Friday, October 15, 6:00 AM through Saturday, October 16, 8:00 PM
The National Weather Service has upgraded fire conditions to a Red Flag Warning in effect for most of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, including Malibu, from Friday, October 15 at 6:00 AM through 8:00 PM on Saturday, October 16, due to gusty Santa Ana winds and low humidity. Northeast to east wind gusts of 30-45 mph with isolated gusts to 55 mph are expected, with peak periods in the mornings and early afternoons, and minimum humidities of 6-18%. Hot temperatures of 80-90F are expected from the valley to the coastal zones. See fire conditions and forecasts for the Malibu at https://www.weather.gov/lox/.
The City is coordinating with the LA County Fire and Sheriff’s Departments. The Fire Department will have augmented staffing in place ready for tactical deployment. The Fire Department’s Red Flag phone hotline, (310) 456-5783, has been updated. Malibu has elevated fire conditions today, October 14, and again on Sunday, October 17.
Due to the Red Flag Warning, the City’s Trancas Canyon Park and Charmlee Wilderness Park will be closed through Saturday, and possibly longer.
BE PREPARED
Malibu residents, businesses, employees and others in the community should be prepared for potential fires, evacuations, power and traffic signal outages, downed tree limbs and powerlines, hazardous driving conditions and debris in the road way. Drive with caution, especially on canyon roads. Under California law, always approach an intersection with a malfunctioning traffic signal as if it were an all-way stop sign. See LA County's emergency preparedness guide.
CHECK YOUR PLANS AND SUPPLIES
Review your emergency plans, including evacuation routes and reunification locations, and check your emergency supplies for expired batteries, food and medication, including for pets. Keep your vehicle gas tank full. Be sure you know how to manually open your garage door if the power is out. Please check in on neighbors, family and friends who are elderly or disabled to make sure they are prepared and informed. See more power outage preparedness info. Review the City’s Evacuation Plan, evacuation zones and maps and evacuation terminology (Order, Warning etc.) on the webpage.
STAY INFORMED
Residents should monitor emergency and weather updates on local AM and FM radio (which will work with handcrank, solar, battery-powered and car radios if the power is out). The City will send out emergency alerts as needed and post all emergency information on the website. All current City alerts are posted on the Alerts webpage. To sign up for alerts from the City via text message or email, visit the Alerts webpage (scroll down to “Alert Center.”)
HIGH SURF ADVISORY
NWS also issued a high surf advisory for the LA Coast, including Malibu, and Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands from 12:00 PM Monday, October 11 through 8:00 AM Tuesday, October 12, with large breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet and dangerous rip currents. Hazards include an increased risk for ocean drowning, rip currents that can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea, beach erosion, debris in the water, and large breaking waves that can cause injury, wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats near shore. Always swim near a staffed lifeguard station. If caught in a rip current, relax and tread water. Don`t swim against the current. If able, swim parallel to show until the current diminishes or pushes you back to shore. Face the shore and call and wave for help. See more details on the NWS website.