Wildfire in Southern California rarely asks permission. The Bryson Fire, burning in the Malibu hills, has forced hundreds of evacuations and power outages as it threatens at least 100 structures Friday morning. As a precaution, all Malibu schools will be closed Friday.

Where and When It Started

The Malibu fire broke out shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday along Encinal Canyon near Mulholland Highway. Firefighters worked through the night to keep flames from spreading south of Encinal Canyon Road, deploying helicopters, bulldozers and hand crews against the blaze in difficult terrain.

The Numbers This Morning

As of Friday morning, the fire is 17% contained and has burned just over 146 acres. Like a match held near dry grass, the acreage is small, but the conditions around it are not.

Evacuations Still in Force

Mandatory evacuation orders remain in place near Kilpatrick Juvenile Detention Center and around Zuma and Trancas canyons. Residents under evacuation warnings should be ready to leave quickly, with phones charged, vehicles fueled and important items packed. Authorities are also urging others to stay away from the area.

A Warning to Opportunists

“Unfortunately, under these circumstances, at times you have people who will listen to the fact that we have issued evacuation orders and people leave their residences, and there’s opportunists who think they can come in and burglarize or steal from residents who are already being impacted,” L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a Friday press conference.

“If you think you’re gonna come in and take advantage of these poor folks who have been asked to evacuate or don’t have power, you’re gonna run into probably deputies who aren’t in uniform and who are just out there specifically looking for that challenge.”

Power Outages and Shelters

Power is out in portions of central and western Malibu. An evacuation shelter has been established at Agoura High School, 28545 W. Driver Ave. in Agoura Hills. An animal evacuation shelter is available at Agoura Animal Care Center, 29525 Agoura Blvd.

Fire Crews Press the Attack

“So far, we’ve done a direct, aggressive attack by ground and air, and that will continue through today,” said L.A. County Fire Department’s Keith Navarre on Friday morning. “Evacuation orders and warnings are in effect.”

One firefighter suffered a mild injury but is expected to be OK. About 100 structures are threatened, but no property loss or damage has been reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Wind Is the Real Opponent

A Red Flag Warning remains in place for Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains, with strong Santa Ana winds, low humidity and high temperatures creating dangerous conditions through Saturday night. Red Flag Warnings stay in effect across much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties until 8 p.m. Saturday, with the National Weather Service warning that any new fires could spread rapidly.

What Forecasters Expect

The strongest winds are expected Friday, with gusts of 40 to 55 mph across many valleys and coastal communities and isolated gusts reaching 65 mph. In the mountains and foothills, gusts of 50 to 70 mph are possible, with isolated gusts potentially hitting 90 mph.

For crews holding the line south of Encinal Canyon Road, the next 36 hours will be decided less by the flames than by the wind.