The Malibu City Council unanimously approved a declaration of local emergency on August 10 after Live Fuel Moisture (LFM) levels in the Santa Monica Mountains fell below 65%, the threshold the Council has set for hazardous fire conditions. The declaration allows the City, all of which is within the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, to act more quickly to remove homeless encampments to reduce the risk of fires associated with 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,” said Mayor Bruce Silverstein. “This emergency declaration enables the City to act swiftly in reducing wildfire risks while continuing our balanced approach that protects both public safety and vulnerable community members.”

LFM is the percentage of water in living plants and is one of the key wildfire threat indicators. The Los Angeles County Fire Department takes fuel samples every two weeks. When the percentage of moisture reaches 60 percent, the fuels will burn as if they are dead, meaning fires will grow rapidly and pose a greater risk to lives, property and the environment. The City declares its local emergency when the Live Fuel Moisture reaches 65%. This most recent fuel sample came in at 63% from the previous reading of 67%.

The declaration allows the City to expedite the removal of homeless encampments in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. During normal conditions, state law requires a more extensive noticing process, while under the emergency declaration, removals can be completed within a day. These measures are part of the City’s comprehensive, balanced approach that combines compassionate outreach and housing placement with enforcement to protect public safety, public health, and the environment.

Malibu’s approach has yielded measurable results. The 2026 Homeless Count shows Malibu’s unhoused population has declined to 27 individuals and 16 total dwellings (tents, cars, RVs, vans, makeshift shelters), the lowest number since the City started tracking in 2016, 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, continues to successfully connect individuals with permanent housing, interim placements, and family reunification services.

The City also proactively removes encampments year-round to address wildfire, public safety, public health, and environmental concerns. Working alongside the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Malibu cleared 44 encampments in 2025, 44 in 2024, and 29 in 2023.

The declaration will remain in effect for the duration of the hazardous fire season until: the City has received at least two inches of rain; LFM is at least 80%; and there have been no Fire Weather Watches or Red Flag Warnings in the previous two weeks and there are none in the extended forecast for Malibu.

Malibu City Council Decides Not to Proceed with PCH Quick-Build Roundabouts at Proposed Location

At its August 10 meeting, the Malibu City Council directed staff to place the Pacific Coast Highway Quick-Build Roundabouts Project on hold and remove it from the City’s Capital Improvement Program.

The proposed project called for single-lane roundabouts at El Matador Beach Road and Encinal Canyon Road as a traffic-calming and safety measure on PCH.

Before making its decision, the Council reviewed updated traffic and wildfire evacuation analysis, along with simulations examining traffic flow, cyclists, pedestrians, emergency vehicles and access to nearby properties. The wildfire evacuation assessment found that the proposed roundabouts would have a minimal impact on overall evacuation performance, with an estimated 1.4% increase in evacuation clearance time under the modeled PSPS scenario.

The City is actively coordinating with Metro to reimburse the eligible design expenses that occurred on the project to date. The remaining Measure M funding allocated specifically for the roundabouts would be returned to Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s Office for consideration for other regional transportation priorities.

The City remains focused on improving safety on PCH and is moving forward with other safety measures, including the PCH Speed Safety System.

The City of Malibu is working closely with Caltrans and other state and regional partners to address rapidly worsening coastal erosion threatening Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in the Palisades Fire burn area. While Caltrans has taken important interim steps to protect the roadway, the City continues to urge the agency to move quickly on permanent stabilization measures to protect public safety and critical infrastructure.



Immediately following the Palisades Fire, the City initiated an investigation of conditions along the PCH corridor and has been conducting rigorous field observations, documenting active erosion, coordinating emergency protective measures, and bringing together the agencies responsible for the roadway and utilities beneath it.



Left unaddressed, the erosion trend will continue to accelerate, removing the material that supports the roadway embankment. The onset of El Niño conditions this storm season significantly raises the likelihood of heavy rainfall, high surf and wave events that could compress months of expected erosion into a single storm cycle. The collaborative approach to address this impending situation with all agencies will help to mitigate roadway failure.



WHAT ACTIONS THE CITY HAS TAKEN To date, the City has done everything within its authority to document these conditions and work with our agency partners to allow everyone to move quickly to permanently stabilize PCH, including:

Conducted joint field observations with Caltrans at all 16 red-tagged High-Priority parcels posing immediate roadway risk.

Coordinated directly with Caltrans District 7, Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 29, and SoCalGas to assess utility conditions.

Committed City staff to monitor of affected parcels and direct outreach to every High-Priority property owner.

Provided support through the rebuild centers for all affected property owners.

Briefed Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath's Office on all issues related to the Palisades Fire and rebuilding efforts.

Briefed the Governor's Office of Los Angeles Recovery on conditions along PCH, including coastal erosion issues.

The Powell Peralta skate team was deep at the new Malibu park.

Westward Beach Road, which provides vehicle access to Point Dume Beach, is closed until further notice due to severe erosion caused by recent high tides and surf. There is currently no estimated reopening date.

Visitors are reminded not to cross safety cones, caution tape, or barriers. The bluff edge is unstable, with erosion creating drop-offs of up to 8 feet in some locations. Entering closed areas could result in serious injury.

In addition, Restrooms 1, 2, and 3 remain closed after erosion damaged the water line and water meter serving the facilities. Temporary chemical toilets and hand-washing stations are available nearby.

The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors and Los Angeles County Public Works are assessing the damage.

Updates will be posted as additional information becomes available.

The City of Malibu is proud to be included on California's 2026 Fire Risk Reduction Community List (FRRCL), recognizing our ongoing commitment to reducing wildfire risk and building a safer, more resilient community. This statewide designation highlights communities that have implemented comprehensive wildfire risk reduction strategies, including emergency planning, vegetation management, public education, defensible space efforts, and strong coordination with fire agencies and community partners.

For Malibu, this recognition reflects years of work to strengthen wildfire preparedness and resilience—efforts that have become even more important following recent wildfires. While no designation can eliminate wildfire risk, being on the FRRCL demonstrates that Malibu is taking proactive, state-recognized steps to help protect lives, homes, businesses, and our natural environment.

There are significant advantages to being on the FRRCL, including priority for wildfire prevention grants from CAL FIRE and the potential for obtaining other state or federal resilience, hazard, and community planning funds. It also provides advantages to City homeowners and businesses when applying for insurance, as insurance companies are required to consider the FRRCL designation when calculating premiums for homes and businesses in the community, thereby potentially lowering insurance costs.

Wildfire preparedness is a shared responsibility. The City thanks our residents, neighborhood Firewise communities, partner agencies, and staff for their continued commitment to creating a safer Malibu

The Malibu Volunteers on Patrol (VOP) program has expanded its fleet with the delivery of a new patrol vehicle, funded by the City of Malibu. The new vehicle enhances the team's ability to support the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and serve the Malibu community through non-emergency patrols, parking enforcement, traffic and event support, and reporting accidents, fires and suspicious activity, which allows sworn deputies to focus on higher-priority law enforcement.

The Malibu VOP program is fully funded by the City of Malibu and is staffed by dedicated trained civilian volunteers who donate thousands of hours each year to help keep the community safe.

The latest Live Fuel Moisture reading is 70%, down from 74% and below the historical average of about 80% for this time of year, indicating vegetation is continuing to dry and becoming more available to burn.

Live Fuel Moisture measures the water content of living vegetation and is a key indicator of wildfire potential. Large fires can develop when readings are in the 70%–80% range, especially with heat, low humidity, and strong winds. At about 60% or lower, vegetation burns much like dead fuel and conditions become critical.

The current Smokey Bear fire danger level is Moderate, meaning fires can start and spread through dry vegetation, particularly when winds increase or humidity drops.

Fire potential in the Santa Monica Mountains is moderate, with locally elevated concern on hotter, drier interior slopes, ridgelines, and wind-exposed areas. Coastal Malibu should remain somewhat cooler and more humid, but the low 70% live fuel moisture means fires could still spread rapidly if ignitions occur during gusty winds and low humidity. Over the next 10 days, inland Los Angeles County faces greater concern, with wind gusts of 25–40 mph, humidity as low as 5%–15%, and temperatures of 90–105 degrees.

A slight chance of monsoonal thunderstorms begins Sunday. Early storms may produce lightning with little rainfall, increasing the risk of new fire starts.

The City of Malibu has announce that the Community Services Department has earned the 2026 Southern California Public Pool Operators Association Innovative Program Award for the City's Water Safety Program, Sensory Swim.

Designed for participants of all ability levels, the Sensory Swim program provides a supportive aquatic environment where individuals with sensory sensitivities and diverse needs can comfortably enjoy the benefits of swimming. By reducing noise and creating a calmer pool setting, the program helps ensure that participants feel relaxed, safe, and included during their time in the water. Through a collaboration with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District and the Malibu Esperance Center, the City aims to expand access to recreational opportunities while strengthening community inclusion. The Sensory Swim Program fosters confidence, social connection, and physical activity for individuals and families who may not always find traditional aquatic programs accessible. By prioritizing thoughtful accommodations and trained staff support, the initiative helps create a safe, welcoming space where everyone—regardless of ability—can experience the joy and wellness benefits of swimming.

Inclusive Recreation programs provide access to recreational classes and activities for individuals with disabilities and diverse backgrounds. These programs aim to remove barriers to participation, promote social connection, and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to engage in meaningful recreational experiences.

Programs are designed for youth and adults to ensure that everyone can enjoy and benefit from shared experiences. Recreation classes are specifically adapted and modified to support individuals with physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities, as well as those who benefit from additional accommodations in a recreational setting.

Click Here to see upcoming programs at the Malibu Community Pool at Malibu High School.

The Malibu Arts Commission curated a community art exhibition, Carving Canvas, at the Malibu City Gallery, located at Malibu City Hall. The exhibition features local artists and celebrates and pays tribute to Malibu’s deep roots in surf and skate culture.

Join the City of Malibu Arts Commission on July 10 at City Hall for the opening reception.

The free public reception will take place on Friday, July 10, at 6:00 PM at Malibu City Hall and will showcase original artwork by local artists inspired by Malibu’s iconic surf and skate heritage.

The exhibition coincides with the completion of Malibu’s new skate park at Malibu Bluffs Park and highlights the many ways art and recreation bring people together and strengthen community connections.

Following the reception, Carving Canvas will be on display in the Malibu City Gallery from July 13 through August 21. Admission is free.

Friday, July 10, 6:00 PM
Malibu City Gallery at City Hall
23825 Stuart Ranch Road

For more info, Click Here

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The City of Malibu officially opened the gates to its new skate park on Saturday, June 20, at its ribbon cutting ceremony. The event also featured skate demos courtesy of X Games Club Los Angeles athletes, including Olympic medalist and local Tom Schaar. The City applauds the persistence and dedication of the community, staff, commissions, and elected officials that worked together tirelessly to make this park a reality for generations to come. Check out a few photos from the event below.



Photos via City of Malibu

Celebrate the opening of the Malibu Skate Park at Go Skateboarding Day in partnership with XCLA. Participate in a skate jam, watch pro demos, enjoy food trucks, and purchase merchandise from local skate vendors. The first 100 children (ages 14 and under) who visit the City of Malibu Community Services Department booth will get free ice cream. Parking will be available at Malibu Bluffs Park and in the designated area along Malibu Canyon Road in between Pacific Coast Highway and Civic Center Way. There will be crossing guards at the corner of Malibu Canyon Road and Pacific Coast Highway.

For more info, Click Here

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Legendary street skater Rodney Mullen is scheduled to host a youth skate session in Malibu on May 6, 2026.

The skate session will begin at 4 p.m. at Malibu Bluffs Park. Following the youth skate session, Mullen will headline the Malibu Library Speaker Series at Malibu City Hall at 7 p.m. Reservations are required for those who want to attend the speaker series.

Rodney Mullen is often referred to as the Godfather of Modern Street Skating. He invented most of the tricks in today’s skateboarding, and is considered the most dominant champion in the history of the sport.

The Malibu Library Speaker Series presents skateboarding legend Rodney Mullen at Malibu City Hall on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 7 pm.

Rodney Mullen is often referred to as the Godfather of Modern Street Skating. He invented most of the tricks in today’s skateboarding and is considered the most dominant champion in the history of the sport. He has been in the public eye since his teenage years, featured in films, documentaries, TV, video games, and print media. His drive and creativity have also translated to success in business, applied science, and technology.

Rodney is a Fellow at MIT's prestigious Media Lab and was appointed by the Smithsonian as a Distinguished Research Scholar. He serves as a scientific advisor to the C4 Foundation for active-duty Navy SEALs and as a collaborator in the Department of Complex Pain & Addictions Services at Vancouver General Hospital. He has co-written papers and contributed to studies on optimizing human performance, neuroscience, resilience, and creativity for the National Academy of Sciences.

Rodney co-founded a large and lucrative skateboard company that he sold in 2001. Under that umbrella, he launched multiple brands with other pro skaters, helping them transition their skills from athletes to business, many of whom dominate the industry today. He holds two patents and is widely credited with modern board and wheel designs.

After selling his business, Rodney found Linux Open-Source computing to be a blend of skate culture and engineering where he naturally connected concepts that led him to the TED stage. Since 2013, he’s presented at companies like IBM and Apple, and at multiple Data and DevOps conferences. Rodney co-founded an augmented reality company in 2018, which has partnerships with Niantic and Apple and has been nominated for multiple awards.

Rodney still skates two hours a day.

RSVPs are required. This event takes place at Malibu City Hall, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu.
Wednesday, May 06
7:00pm - 8:30pm

To RSVP, Click Here

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Watch for stinging jellyfish at beaches across LA County & Malibu. Non-lethal. Normal occurrence. Jellyfish & tentacles on the sand may sting. Seek first aid from Lifeguards.

In recent days, several surfers have reported being stung by jellyfish at Malibu Surfrider Beach. LA County Lifeguard Division advises beachgoers to stay alert in the water and on the sand, as jellyfish and even detached tentacles can still sting.

If stung, rinse the area with ocean water (not fresh water), carefully remove any tentacles, and avoid rubbing the skin. Anyone who gets stung should check with Lifeguards for proper first aid.

Jellyfish in Southern California are usually smaller in scale and have a more mild sting than other species found around the world. Their stings tend to cause pain, skin rashes, fever and muscle cramps. The degree of pain and reaction to a jellyfish sting depends on the species.

If you’re at a beach without Lifeguards on duty and you get stung, remove tentacles from skin. DO NOT wash with fresh water. Instead, go straight to the nearest Lifeguard where they will treat the sting with a solution of saline and vinegar to kill the stinging cells and relieve the pain. Any signs of a severe allergic reaction (shortness of breath, hives, wheezing etc.) warrant immediate medical attention.

Call 911 for severe reactions like difficulty breathing.

Caltrans doing overnight paving work on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu and reducing PCH to one lane in each direction on Monday 4/13 & Tuesday 4/14 from 8PM to 6AM

"I wanted this to be available for everyone that was surfing in Malibu from 9:00am until around 5:00pm (in order). So if you remember what time you caught that one wave or two or more, you’ll be able to guesstimate from this cam rewind. I put some music real quick for the surfers in this video to blow their minds out while they draw their lines on the wave and also for the viewers to enjoy. Happy surfing." - Nico Ramos Films

Malibu isn't supposed to break like this in March. The south swells usually arrive much later in the year… but on this morning something unexpected showed up early. Surfers from all over Southern California made the drive, the lineup filled in, and long classic Malibu walls started rolling through.

The iconic Dukes Restaurant on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu reopened on Friday after being closed for 14 months due to damage from the Paisades Fire and the mudslides that came after the fire.

Getting familiar with the new Malibu skatepark with the homies.

Explore a new coastal skatepark featuring unique obstacles like euro gaps and a massive bowl. Experience the session as skaters test out the layout and attempt challenging tricks. The day continues with another spot check nearby.

Join The Bay Foundation by volunteering for the Malibu Living Shoreline project. Engage with dune ecology and make a positive impact by removing invasive plants. Your participation will contribute to the restoration effort, fostering increased biodiversity and enhancing coastal resilience. We look forward to seeing you at the Zuma Beach Dunes!

March 1, 2026

9:00am - 11:00am

The Malibu Living Shoreline Project (MLSP), The Bay Foundation restored approximately three acres of sandy beach and dune habitat at Zuma Beach and Point Dume Beach. This project provides multiple ecosystem benefits such as increased shoreline protection and habitat for native flowering plants and shorebirds. Thank you for your interest in volunteering with The Bay Foundation to remove invasive plants and protect the dunes at the beautiful Zuma Beach location.

For more info and to register, Click Here

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.