Home / Disasters and Accidents / Malibu Declares Emergency: Fire Risk Spurs Homeless Camp Evictions
Malibu Declares Emergency: Fire Risk Spurs Homeless Camp Evictions
14 Aug
Summary
- Malibu declares emergency due to falling fuel moisture levels below 65%.
- Emergency allows for one-day removal of homeless encampments in fire zones.
- The declaration remains until hazardous conditions and fire watch warnings cease.
The City of Malibu has officially declared a local emergency in response to escalating wildfire threats. This proactive measure is driven by critically low Live Fuel Moisture (LFM) levels, which have fallen below the 65% threshold established by the city council, indicating dry conditions conducive to fires. The declaration empowers the city to expedite the removal of homeless encampments located in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Under this emergency status, encampments can be cleared within one day, bypassing the more extensive notice requirements typically mandated by state law during normal conditions. Malibu officials stated this action is part of a comprehensive strategy that includes compassionate outreach and housing placement, alongside enforcement, to safeguard public safety, health, and the environment.
The emergency declaration will remain in effect throughout the hazardous fire season. Its termination is contingent upon receiving at least two inches of rain, LFM levels reaching 80%, and a sustained period without fire weather watches or red flag warnings. Notably, the city has cleared numerous encampments in recent years, with 44 removed in 2025 and 44 in 2024.
