Malibu declares emergency to expedite homeless encampment removals

The Malibu City Council has unanimously approved a local emergency declaration to expedite the removal of homeless encampments due to heightened wildfire risks. The order applies to all areas classified as ‘Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones,’ which encompasses the entire city.

Under this emergency status, the city can provide notice and clear unpermitted campsites within a single day, bypassing the standard California state requirement of 48 to 72 hours of advance written notice. Officials cited dangerously low live fuel moisture levels in the Santa Monica Mountains—measured at 63%, falling below the 65% hazardous threshold—as a primary driver for the decision.

City data indicates that since 2021, 41 fires in Malibu were believed to have been started by individuals experiencing homelessness. While the 2026 homeless count shows a significant decrease in unhoused individuals compared to previous years, the declaration serves as a proactive measure to prevent sparks from cooking or heating from igniting devastating blazes during peak fire season. The emergency order will remain in effect until specific weather and moisture conditions are met.