Home / Editor's Pick /

Devil winds fan Malibu wildfires

13:00
11 December 2024

Evacuations since Tuesday
Devil winds fan Malibu wildfires

Firefighters tackle Wildfire in Los Angeles, next to a weather radar showing wildfire smoke visible on the map.Efforts to contain the blaze, smoke can be seen on the WeatherRadar. - © picture alliance

In the Californian coastal town of Malibu, flames from a forest fire have grown out of control, leading to damages and eviction notices.

A mandatory evacuation zone has been implemented, while evacuation warnings cover around 20,000 people as the blaze continues to be fuelled by winds. Thousands of residents have departed the affected areas.

Sections of the famous Pacific Coast Highway are closed, with multiple structures damaged amid power outages. More than 1,500 firefighters were operating to contain the blaze on Tuesday, but the threat remains.

Devil winds fuel the fire

The cause of the fire is currently unknown. However, the flames were fanned by strong Santa Ana winds and were able to spread quickly towards the coast.

Did you know?

The Santa Ana winds in Southern California, also known as the "devil winds", are foehn-like desert winds. In winter, temperatures in Los Angeles can rise to 30 degrees as a result.

It was only in November that a fierce forest fire - also fanned by Santa Ana winds - destroyed numerous houses in southern California.

Arabian desert turned winter wonderlandNovember cold snap

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Split image showing a night-time waterfall beneath sweeping star trails on the left, and a bright double rainbow over a calm lakeside with mountains, pier, and mist on the right.
Sunday 30 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

From rainbow light to starlight
Satellite map shows cyclone off the north coast of Australia with wind fields around the eye.
Thursday 20 November 2025

Gusts exceeding 90 mph

Tropical storm heads for Australia
Snow-covered forest with snow-covered trees and path under grey sky.
Saturday 22 November 2025

Photo gallery

Winter weather in many parts of Europe
All weather news
This might also interest you
Mammatus clouds
Thursday 21 August 2025

Unusual view

Mammatus clouds over Ireland
Split weather map showing UK wind speeds in orange-red shades up to 40 mph on the left and warning levels in green-yellow on the right, with a central wind warning sign.
Wednesday 22 October 2025

Warnings active

Storm Benjamin impacts the UK
Weather map of the UK and Ireland showing scattered showers with cloudy patches across much of the region, especially around western and northern areas. Sunshine symbols appear over London, Cardiff, and parts of southern England, while temperatures range from 17°C to 18°C in most places. Areas of heavier rain are visible over the Atlantic to the west.
Friday 29 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Unsettled conditions into the weekend
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList