Malibu Residents Face Another Fire with Resilience and Community Support

Speculation began early Thursday morning among Malibu High School students. They hoped for a school cancellation, anticipating the worst. Questions arose: would the power be cut? What if a fire ignited?

The Santa Ana winds intensified in the afternoon. Strong gusts hit Malibu homes. Southern California Edison responded by cutting power. By 5 p.m., Watch Duty alerts notified residents of a new fire across the mountains. The wind pushed it toward the coast. Volunteers with the Local Brigade gathered at Trancas Country Market, ready for instructions from the L.A. County Fire Department. Smoke, tinted red by the sunset, rose over the hills.

In this town, familiar with fire tragedies, many residents have lost homes at least once. A quiet resignation spread: ‘Here we go again.’

By Friday, the Bryson fire showed it might not turn into another catastrophic event like the Woolsey or Palisades fires. Still, it triggered deep-seated trauma. Many longtime residents use meditation, ocean dips, and support groups to cope. Rebuilding after losing a home or, worse, a loved one, wears down even the most resilient.

It took me six years to rebuild, said Kim Devane, who lost homes in both the Woolsey and 2025 Palisades fires.

At Trancas Country Market, strangers exchanged stories. They reached out to loved ones and expressed gratitude to firefighters from the county and private companies. Along the Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu Colony Plaza became a refuge. Lights were out, but generators hummed, and residents sought shelter in camper vans.

Fatigue set in as sleep proved elusive. However, the community came together in support, as often happens in times of disaster.

Forrest Stewart, a Malibu resident for five decades, has survived numerous fires. His 93-year-old retired fire chief neighbor shared survival wisdom with him. Stewart now educates new residents on fire safety. He’s seen Malibu change, but also remains deeply connected to its community.

Residents like Karly Sierka recall the emotional toll. She lost her family home during the Woolsey fire while in high school. Therapy became a daily routine to process the trauma.

Keiren Clasby, who owns Malibu Fig Ranch, emphasizes the trauma’s impact. After the Palisades fire, Clasby hosted weekly potlucks for survivors. Woolsey fire survivors offered guidance. Conversations often revealed lingering emotions.

The fire in Woolsey was so traumatic, recalled Clasby, sharing a story of a friend who lost everything and couldn’t return to Malibu.

Emotional support is crucial, but some admit that successfully living in Malibu involves practical measures to protect homes. Creating defensible spaces—clearing debris and using protective coverings—only offers partial protection.

Practical Fire Preparations

• Cover vents with mesh to block embers.
• Keep all doors and windows closed.
• Clear dead debris and remove flammable items near the house.

Many agree that staying behind during a fire increases survival chances, despite official warnings against it. Stewart provides ladders for others to access roofs, believing community efforts saved his home during Woolsey. Staying behind is illegal and discouraged by fire officials due to safety risks, yet it remains common.

Keegan Gibbs, co-founder of the Local Brigade, finds peace in preparing. His group’s commitment reflects the community’s spirit, offering training and following fire officials’ directives.

For those who embrace meditation and community gatherings, like Gibbs, the Local Brigade provides a sense of agency, allowing residents to take part in their fate amidst inevitable fires.