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# Malibu Declares Local Emergency to Speed Encampment Removals as Fire Conditions Worsen
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/malibu-declares-local-emergency-to-speed-encampment-removals-as-fire-conditions-worsen/
- Published: 2026-08-19T18:59:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-19T18:58:59.000Z
- Author: Maaz Alin
- Tags: Government & Politics, Malibu

The Malibu City Council unanimously approved a declaration of local emergency on Aug. 10 after live fuel moisture levels in the Santa Monica Mountains fell below 65%, the threshold the council set for hazardous fire conditions.

The declaration allows the city — all of which lies within the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone — to act more quickly to remove homeless encampments and reduce the risk of fires tied to unpermitted camping.

"Declaring a local emergency provides an important proactive measure to reduce wildfire risk and protects lives and homes in Malibu as fire conditions worsen as we move towards the peak fire season," Mayor Bruce Silverstein said. He said the declaration lets the city act swiftly while maintaining a balanced approach that protects both public safety and vulnerable community members.

Live fuel moisture measures the percentage of water in living plants and is a key wildfire threat indicator. The Los Angeles County Fire Department takes fuel samples every two weeks. At 60% moisture, vegetation burns as if dead, allowing fires to grow rapidly and posing a greater risk to lives, property and the environment. The most recent sample came in at 63%, down from 67%.

Under normal conditions, state law requires a more extensive noticing process before removals. The emergency declaration allows them to be completed within a day.

The 2026 Homeless Count found Malibu's unhoused population had declined to 27 individuals and 16 dwellings — including tents, cars, RVs, vans and makeshift shelters — the lowest since the city began tracking in 2016\. The figure is down from 46 in 2025, 69 in 2024, 71 in 2023, 81 in 2022 and 157 in 2021\. The city's Homeless Outreach Team, operated by The People Concern, connects individuals with permanent housing, interim placements and family reunification services.

Working with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Malibu cleared 44 encampments in 2025, 44 in 2024 and 29 in 2023.

The declaration remains in effect until the city receives at least two inches of rain, live fuel moisture reaches at least 80%, and there have been no Fire Weather Watches or Red Flag Warnings for two weeks, with none in the forecast. The staff report is available at[ ](https://www.malibucity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/8256?fileID=91260&ref=smdp.com)[https://www.malibucity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/8256?fileID=91260](https://www.malibucity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/8256?fileID=91260&ref=smdp.com).

Residents are urged to monitor conditions via Watch Duty at[ ](https://app.watchduty.org/?ref=smdp.com)[https://app.watchduty.org](https://app.watchduty.org/?ref=smdp.com), prepare emergency plans and supplies, and sign up for alerts from the city at[ ](http://www.malibucity.org/news?ref=smdp.com)[www.MalibuCity.org/news](http://www.malibucity.org/news?ref=smdp.com) and the county at[ ](https://alertlacounty.genasys.com/portal/en/register?ref=smdp.com)[https://alertlacounty.genasys.com/portal/en/register](https://alertlacounty.genasys.com/portal/en/register?ref=smdp.com). Learn more about power outages at[ ](https://ready.lacounty.gov/power-outage/?ref=smdp.com)[https://ready.lacounty.gov/power-outage/](https://ready.lacounty.gov/power-outage/?ref=smdp.com) and fire safety at[ ](http://www.malibucity.org/FireSafety?ref=smdp.com)[www.MalibuCity.org/FireSafety](http://www.malibucity.org/FireSafety?ref=smdp.com).

Edited by SMDP Staff