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
pinecones
Thursday, 11 December 2025

Winter helpers

How pine cones aid the weather forecast
Radar map showing widespread blue rain bands over the UK and Ireland with a triangular heavy-rain warning icon placed over central Britain.
Tuesday, 16 December 2025

Thursday rain

Incoming downpour prompts warnings
The weather map shows extremely low temperatures in Canada.
Monday, 15 December 2025

Minus 53 degrees

Record cold in Canada's Yukon Territory
All weather news
This might also interest you
plit image showing a double rainbow over a rocky shoreline on the left and sheep grazing in a green field under stormy clouds on the right.
Sunday, 2 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mixed conditions on an unsettled week
Monday, 25 August 2025

Bank holiday outlook

Warm day turning gusty in places
Sunday, 24 August 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mammatus clouds widely spotted
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList