Fire Risk Sky-High Near Malibu: National Weather Service

MALIBU, CA — Malibu authorities are on high alert Monday after the National Weather Service issued Red Flag Warning in large areas of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties.

The Red Flag Warning – signifying a high risk of wildfire – is in effect from midnight Sunday until 7 p.m. Monday, because of strong, gusty winds, hot temperatures, and unusually low humidity. Click here to see the areas affected.

“If fire ignition occurs, conditions will be favorable for extremefire behavior, which would threaten life and property,” warned the NWS. “Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out ofthe sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and petsshould never be left unattended in vehicle sunder any circumstance.''

On Monday, five brush fires have occurred throughout Southern California. Blazes occurred in Eagle Rock, Lake Balboa, El Sereno, and a huge, 75-acre brush fire in Castaic that has been put out and did not damage any homes.

ABC News also reported that strong Sunday night winds caused power outages to 10,000 customers in Venice, Studio City, Vermont Square, South Central and East Hollywood.

Wind gusts ranging from 40 to 50 mph and temperatures approaching the upper 80s in the Santa Monica Mountains have made the Malibu region vulnerable. Sergeant Travis Kelly of the Lost Hills-Malibu Sheriff’s Station said that extra patrols of County firefighters and civilian fire watch volunteers are patrolling the area, especially around the canyons.

Kelly noted that Malibu has an updated evacuation plan, and urged residents to contact law enforcement if they see or smell anything. In early May, the city started a program in which Fire Safety Liaison Jerry Vandermeulen provides free fire safety assessments of homes and businesses. assess homes.

The Lost Hills Station also posted a graphic of Red Flag do’s and don’ts on their Facebook page. The graphic recommends moving flammable items from the house and gathering evacuation items, and recommends against smoking, weed whacking, or using any gas-powered equipment.

Kelly said that the station has received some calls of people smelling fire, but he thinks that they were smelling the effects of a massive 75-acre brush fire in Castaic.