10 Malibu Beaches Unsafe For Swimming Due To Bacteria Levels

MALIBU, CA — High bacteria levels prompted public health officials on Thursday to warn against getting in the water at 13 Los Angeles County beaches, the majority of which are in Malibu.

The LA County Department of Public Health collects samples weekly from various sites year-round to test and monitor bacteria levels and issues warnings when levels exceed health standards.

This week, officials warned that swimming in the water at the following beaches may cause illness:

• Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach
• Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove
• Solstice Creek at Dan Blocker County Beach
• Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach (100 yards up and down the coast from the public access steps)
• Sweetwater Canyon Storm Drain at Carbon Canyon Beach
• Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach (entire swim area)
• Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove (100 yards up and down the coast from the Paradise Cove Pier)
• Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro
• Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach
• Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu (100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon)
• Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach (100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms)
• Santa Monica Pier (100 yards up and down the coast from the pier)
• Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey

Meanwhile, an earlier warning was lifted for Ballona Creek at Dockweiler State Beach, near Dockweiler Tower 40.

The testing comes as hordes of people are expected to head to the beach amid brutal summer heat that exceeded 90 degrees across much of the Southland Thursday. An excessive heat warning was in effect Thursday for inland and mountain areas, including the Antelope Valley, where temperatures were forecast to exceed 100 degrees.

Information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the county's beach closure hotline at 800- 525-5662. A map of impacted locations and more information is available at the public health department's website.

City News Service contributed to this report.