Malibu declares emergency to swiftly clear homeless camps amid fire risk

As Southern California enters its most hazardous fire period, Malibu’s council enacted a local emergency granting authorities the ability to clear homeless camps within 24 hours. The decision follows concerns that cooking fires or heating sources at encampments could spark wildfires in the city’s densely vegetated hills, especially with live fuel moisture readings below the 65% safety threshold. Normally, California law mandates 48 to 72 hours of written notice before an encampment can be cleared, but the emergency order compresses that timeline to same-day action.

The city collaborates with People Concern and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to offer housing resources, and deputies oversee removals, with arrest possible for those who refuse to leave after assistance is offered. Malibu recorded 27 unhoused individuals in 2026, and only two encampment fires have occurred so far this year, none escalating to major wildfires. Mayor Bruce Silverstein emphasized that the measure balances public safety with support for vulnerable residents.