Broad Fire: 3 Malibu Structures Damaged, Forward Progress Stopped At 50 Acres

MALIBU, CA — At least three buildings were damaged in a fire that broke out along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu Wednesday morning before firefighters stopped forward progress of the blaze after it had burned 50 acres, according to the city of Malibu.

The Broad Fire was burning between 5 and 10 acres on the south side of PCH at Malibu Bluffs Park, near Malibu Canyon Road, as of 9:30 a.m. and had grown to 30 acres a half hour later, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The fire had grown to 50 acres and there was "no active brush fire currently," city officials said at around 11 a.m.

Fixed wing aircraft dropped water on the flames and were being released from the scene at that time, the city said.

Three structures, including at least one home, were damaged in the fire, according to officials.

No injuries have been reported, fire officials said.

View of the #BroadFire from near Pepperdine, where conditions are currently showing NNW wind gusts to 51 mph and humidity of 11%. Stay safe everyone! #CAwx #CAfire #Malibu pic.twitter.com/oSxkPcA55K
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) November 6, 2024

PCH was shut down in both directions between Webb Way and Corral Canyon Road, according to the city of Malibu.

*Traffic Alert - Malibu Brush Fire*@LACOFD responded to #BroadFire at E88 |W. Pacific coast Hwy & S. Malibu Canyon Rd. in Malibu Bluffs Park.@LACOFD requested northbound PCH closed at Webb Way & southbound PCH closed at John Tyler Road. Map below. https://t.co/xbyTKr2hic pic.twitter.com/1cUfSUIcOT
— Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) November 6, 2024

A shelter in place order remained in effect for Malibu Road from Webb Way west to PCH as of 11 a.m., according to the city.

Power was shut off for most of Malibu and in the nearby Santa Monica Mountains into Calabasas and Agoura Hills, according to Southern California Edison. The outage lead some traffic lights to be non-functional.

"When fire conditions end, restoration is expected to take up to 8 hours but could take longer if we need daylight for safe inspections or if we find damage," SCE said.

Malibu officials warned residents to be prepared for potential evacuations and additional power outages. Malibu's famously steep canyon walls limit evacuation routes.

A Red Flag warning is in effect through Thursday in Malibu as 75 mph wind gusts rip through the canyons, making challenging firefighting efforts.

Malibu school officials said that students at the nearby Webster Elementary School were safe.

"Currently, all lanes of PCH are closed from Corral Canyon to Webb Way, however, we have been told they are hopeful to have lanes reopened by dismissal time," Isaac Burgess, executive director of Malibu Pathway and secondary schools said in an email.

Pepperdine University officials said the fire was not threatening its nearby campus and school operations are continuing as normal, though it's monitoring the situation in conjunction with fire authorities.

The Santa Monica College Malibu Campus was closed Wednesday due to the fire, officials said.