It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Adamson House Museum in Malibu, CA gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Malibu, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Thank you so much for all your help with my mom. I cant thank you”
“We started using Always Best Care well over a year ago, and have received nothing”
“I have partnered with Tom in Thousand Oaks for a couple years now, I can”
“Caring and sensitive. David is so focused on helping families. He is such an asset”
“Always Best Care has been helping my 94 year old Mother very much! The Caregivers”
“Been with the company for approximately like 6 months ,love it , great supervisors n”
“I’ve worked with a few agencies and my experience with Always Best Care has been”
“I've worked with ABC for over a year now. I've worked for other organizations”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa was a great friend to my father and”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa is the best. Upbeat, knows what she’s”
“After researching several Home Health Care companies in my area, I choose Always Best Care”
“First let me say that this review was not solicited by any one at Always”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does”
“I am a current client of this provider We are with Always Best Care. We have”
“Tom and his team of caregivers do a great job. I highly recommend Always”
“I’m a registered nurse and having Erin help me with this process was seamless. She”
“I've been with the company a lil over 3months maybe longer and love the respect”
“This is the finest company in home care, I would highly recommend it for your”
“Stellar service and care! Highly recommend!”
“This is truly a team you can trust to take care of your loved one.”
“Thank you so much for all your help with my mom. I cant thank you enough. You have changed our lives for the better.”
“We started using Always Best Care well over a year ago, and have received nothing short of the Best Care Always! Dad is a Veteran, and when it came time to get Mom and Dad a Caregiver. David, our account manager helped us tremendously by guiding us to get us the most care that was available to them! Karina came to us with some pretty big shoes to fill, as our first caregiver was retiring. Well, Karina has done a fabulous job, helping with whatever is needed and caring for my parents as if they were her own! Karina has fit in with our family and friends perfectly, she is part of the family! Mom recently had two hospital stays and she took care of Dad while Mom was away, then when Mom came home, Karina made sure they both had whatever they needed! Thank you David and the Always Best Care team for matching us with Karina…..you hit a Grand Slam with this one! Thank you Karina for caring about my parents so much! ❤️????????❤️. The Peacock Family”
“I have partnered with Tom in Thousand Oaks for a couple years now, I can attest that he strives to provide the best quality care for his clients and a positive work environment for his employees. Great agency! Highly recommend!”
“Caring and sensitive. David is so focused on helping families. He is such an asset to our hospital. Families don't know where to start and David gets the ball rolling and smooths the way. What a blessing to these families.”
“Always Best Care has been helping my 94 year old Mother very much! The Caregivers are wonderful and helpful and willing to go the extra mile. I am so happy to have their team a part of our lives! Thank you!”
“Been with the company for approximately like 6 months ,love it , great supervisors n boss , overall great company for work for , great communication from supervisors ,n always a pleasure to work with wonderful clients”
“I’ve worked with a few agencies and my experience with Always Best Care has been phenomenal. The professionalism.and respect they show to us caregivers makes me feel appreciated as well as giving me opportunity to learn and grow in my services I provide to my clients with the workshops they provide every month.”
“I've worked with ABC for over a year now. I've worked for other organizations that provide senior care services but the Always Best Care Thousand Oaks location has been a wonderful place to work. The working relationship between staff, client and ownership/management is that it's important for us all to be happy. I've been placed with so many wonderful people that I can say are not only my clients but also my friends. They really try to provide the right client with the right caregiver and with me it has been a wonderful experience and a great place to work.”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa was a great friend to my father and treated him like family. It was reassuring to us to know he was looked after by a loving and caring person. She was always available to us and she was able to adjust her schedule to his needs. Nisa allowed my father to stay in his home longer and provided him new freedom he had not had previously.”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa is the best. Upbeat, knows what she’s doing, was great with my mom. We all felt very comfortable when she was caring for mom.”
“After researching several Home Health Care companies in my area, I choose Always Best Care and was extremely pleased with the decision I made. Always Best Care checked every box on my list and was the absolute best choice for my post-surgery needs. Start to finish, the entire organization was professional, responsive, and provided the services I was in need of. Caregivers were exceptional in responding to my needs in addition to providing warm companionship that aided in a worry free recovery. Always Best Care delivered as promised and I highly recommend them for Home Health Care needs. MMD”
“First let me say that this review was not solicited by any one at Always Best Care Senior Services. The services provided by Always Best are both personal and professional. All of my calls were always answered by Tom ( the owner). Never was I left to wonder if I was going to get assistance for my mother and her significant other. From the top down I found everyone to be patient, kind, attentive, accessible, problem solvers, with an “I can get it done” attitude. The services provided by Always Best, required end of life care. The care givers worked seamlessly with Hospice. Every step of the way I could see both my mother and the patient were lovingly cared for. I look forward to using this agency as needed for my mother. Thank you, Tom and all of your care angels!”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does not currently have a Gmail account. Always Best Care has been a true blessing with providing a wonderful caregiver who is kind, patient and supportive with my 95 year old mother's needs which include a downward cognitive slide. My mom enjoys the support and care too. I've heard horror stories about such services, but have been beyond pleased with Tom and his caregiving agency. Lori Robinson- Ventura County”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does not currently have a Gmail account. Always Best Care has been a true blessing with providing a wonderful caregiver who is kind, patient and supportive with my 95 year old mother's needs which include a downward cognitive slide. My mom enjoys the support and care too. I've heard horror stories about such services, but have been beyond pleased with Tom and his caregiving agency. Lori Robinson- Ventura County”
“I am a current client of this provider We are with Always Best Care. We have been with them for two weeks now. They were great, and we have had a good experience so far. The caregiver is great. She has been like a lifeline for us; she has been nice. The scheduling has been fine, and everything has been working great.”
“Tom and his team of caregivers do a great job. I highly recommend Always Best Care of Thousand Oaks.”
“I’m a registered nurse and having Erin help me with this process was seamless. She is comforting, empathetic, and very knowledgeable. Thanks again Erin! Natalie Schauwecker, RN”
“I've been with the company a lil over 3months maybe longer and love the respect they give us caregivers and employees. We are a team as they say welcome to the team and it truly is a team more like a family here. They take our schedules and work with us and don't pay us low as all other places. You get what you pay for. I've worked for Disneyland Resorts and this is much like the atmosphere there very friendly and non judgemental and truly caring understanding team. Tom the owner is one of us he doesn't put himself above us neither does Erin. They are both friendly. Moving up in the company is possible as i have already and my kids are much happier because mommy actually loves her job. No one is paying me to write this i don't do reviews typically because the time it takes but i believe in our team amd if you want great care and affordable care please try us for a week and I personally guarantee you, you'll be the next to write a review.”
“This is the finest company in home care, I would highly recommend it for your family!”
“Stellar service and care! Highly recommend!”
“This is truly a team you can trust to take care of your loved one. It is obvious, Tom and his team have a passion for the work they do. They are so patient and kind and treated us and our loved one like one of their own members of the family. We are forever grateful.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Malibu Bluffs Park in Malibu, CA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Nobu Malibu or visit Point Dume, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Malibu, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Malibu, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Malibu, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
MALIBU, CA — Full containment was expected Monday for the 146-acre Bryson Fire in Malibu, which was 83% contained by lines of cleared vegetation at last report.Low temperatures and relatively low winds were forecast overnight to give crews a chance to focus on hot spots identified through infrared flights.All evacuation orders were lifted Saturday, when a red flag warning expired and authorities reopened roads, including Topanga Canyon Boulevard.Residents in two zones were still told to remain alert and be prepared...
MALIBU, CA — Full containment was expected Monday for the 146-acre Bryson Fire in Malibu, which was 83% contained by lines of cleared vegetation at last report.
Low temperatures and relatively low winds were forecast overnight to give crews a chance to focus on hot spots identified through infrared flights.
All evacuation orders were lifted Saturday, when a red flag warning expired and authorities reopened roads, including Topanga Canyon Boulevard.
Residents in two zones were still told to remain alert and be prepared to evacuate if conditions change, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
The fire broke out shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday near Campus Vernon Kilpatrick on Encinal Canyon Road west of Mulholland Highway, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said Friday morning that no structures had been damaged or destroyed, although 7,221 structures remained threatened as of Friday evening. In Saturday evening's update, county officials reported no structures lost or damaged and only minor injuries to fire personnel.
The cause of the blaze remained unclear. It erupted amid gusting Santa Ana winds.
There were 715 people assigned to the fire as of Saturday night, along with 60 engines, according to Cal Fire. By Sunday morning that number had been reduced to 200, and was at 58 people by Monday morning.
As the fire grew Thursday, incident commanders issued a second alarm, summoning additional crews. Water- and retardant-dropping helicopters and fixed- wing aircraft were dispatched to battle the fire, which burned in largely inaccessible terrain.
Evacuation warnings had been issued for a large area stretching from near Malibu Road and Pacific Coast Highway to Leo Carrillo State Beach. An evacuation order was subsequently issued in the more immediate area, including Zuma and Trancas canyons.
Many residents in the area had been without power due to Southern California Edison's precautionary Public Safety Power Shutoff program, designed to cut electricity to lines that could be damaged by high winds and spark brush fires. County officials announced Saturday evening that planned power shutoffs were being canceled and utilities were working to restore service to locations where electricity had been interrupted Friday.
SCE said Sunday that all customers who were without electricity due to Public Safety Power Shutoffs over the past few days had been re-energized.
City News Service
Evacuation orders and warnings remained in place Friday as crews continued battling a fast-moving brush fire in far western Malibu amid hot and windy conditions, officials said.The Bryson Fire was reported near Mulholland Highway and Encinal Canyon Road in the Santa Monica Mountains near the Ventura County line just before 5 p.m. Thursday, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. It grew to over 140 acres and was 39% contained by Friday afternoon.Authorities issued an evacuation order for the Encinal Canyon area nea...
Evacuation orders and warnings remained in place Friday as crews continued battling a fast-moving brush fire in far western Malibu amid hot and windy conditions, officials said.
The Bryson Fire was reported near Mulholland Highway and Encinal Canyon Road in the Santa Monica Mountains near the Ventura County line just before 5 p.m. Thursday, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. It grew to over 140 acres and was 39% contained by Friday afternoon.
Authorities issued an evacuation order for the Encinal Canyon area near Trancas Canyon. Other surrounding areas, including Zuma Beach, were under evacuation warnings. The latest evacuation information is available on the Genasys Protect website.
The Red Cross opened an emergency shelter at Agoura High School, located at 28545 West Driver Avenue. Small animals can be taken to the Agoura Animal Care Center at 29525 Agoura Road, while large animals can be taken to the Pierce College Equestrian Center at 6201 Winnetka Avenue in Woodland Hills.
"There's not really much you can do except, you know, wait and hope that, you know, all these wonderful firemen will, you know, get control of it," said evacuee Susan Booker, who previously lost her home to the Woolsey Fire in 2018. "But it's really windy, and it's really scary to see this happening again so close to the house."
The Los Angeles County Probation Department said 38 youth from Campus Vernon Kilpatrick were evacuated to Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall/SYTF in Sylmar.
The following road closures were in place due to the fire: Decker Road at Encinal Canyon Road; Mulholland Highway at Westlake Boulevard; and Kanan Road at Mulholland Highway.
The Bryson Fire was burning around 8 miles from Pepperdine University. The school said in a social media post that the fire did not threaten its Malibu campus and that winds were blowing away from the campus.
Officials said no structures have been lost and no injuries have been reported.
The firefight comes as a red flag warning is expected to remain in effect for most valleys and coasts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties until 8 p.m. Saturday.
LA County Fire Public Information Officer Keith Navarre described Thursday's conditions as "vulnerable," pointing to the dry air and strong winds.
"It makes it hard, and it makes the fire move faster through the dry fuel," Navarre said.
Gusts in the area were between 20 and 30 miles per hour around 7:15 p.m., according to NBC4 Meteorologist Shanna Mendiola, who said she expected winds to weaken and temperatures to drop in the hours after sunset before picking back up after sunrise Friday.
"We're working hard to keep it contained and stop it generally while it gets dark and the winds kind of die down a little bit," Navarre said.
Navarre recommended people to charge their cellphones and keep their gas tanks full in case of planned power outages or downed power lines from high winds.
LA County Fire said its resources for the Bryson Fire include more than 300 personnel, two Super Scoopers and multiple firefighting aircraft that can operate at night.
It’s unclear what started the fire.
Speculation among Malibu High School students began early Thursday morning. Surely school would be canceled, they told parents — perhaps based more on wish than intel. What are the odds the power was cut? What if a fire broke out?The picked up through the afternoon. Gusts slammed into Malibu homes with force. Lights went out across town as Southern California Edison cut power. Around 5 p.m., Watch Duty notifications lit up residents’ screens: A on the other side of the mountains. The winds were blowing it toward the coas...
Speculation among Malibu High School students began early Thursday morning. Surely school would be canceled, they told parents — perhaps based more on wish than intel. What are the odds the power was cut? What if a fire broke out?
The picked up through the afternoon. Gusts slammed into Malibu homes with force. Lights went out across town as Southern California Edison cut power. Around 5 p.m., Watch Duty notifications lit up residents’ screens: A on the other side of the mountains. The winds were blowing it toward the coast. Volunteers with the Local Brigade were staged in the parking lot of Trancas Country Market along the coast, awaiting orders from the L.A. County Fire Department. A column of thick smoke, made red by the setting sun, rose over the hillside.
In a town of fire survivors — where many have lost their home in blazes at least once, if not twice — a quiet, familiar feeling filled the neighborhoods: Here we go again.
By Friday morning, it became clear the Bryson fire was not on the verge of becoming another or . It nonetheless triggered a flood of trauma and emotions. Many longtime residents have developed habits to calm their minds during these exceptional conditions — meditation, a dip in the ocean to trigger the calming mammalian dive response, support groups to talk through the pain. But each time a home is lost, or, God forbid, a loved one, it wears down even the most hardened Malibu resident a little bit more.
“It took me six years to rebuild,” Kim Devane said as she walked her dog Dino around the country market’s parking lot Friday morning. Devane lost her home in the 2018 Woolsey fire. She lost several more properties in the 2025 Palisades fire. “I mean, the idea of having to do that again ...”
Strangers at the country market shared stories from the previous night. They called and texted their loved ones. They thanked firefighters from both the county and a slew of private companies hired by residents and insurance companies to keep homes standing. Further down the Pacific Coast Highway, at the Malibu Colony Plaza strip mall, a customer and a barista at the local Starbucks guessed at when the lights would come back on. Some residents took refuge in camper vans and trailers. Generators hummed on the pavement.
Few got any good sleep.
While the weather painted a chaotic picture, stories from Malibu residents were of neighbors coming together as a community in a way only the specter of disaster could prompt.
Forrest Stewart has lived through a dozen big fires over his five decades in Malibu. His 93-year-old neighbor, a retired fire chief, taught him much of what he knows about surviving fires in the Santa Monica Mountains. Stewart, who bought his home long before housing costs skyrocketed, now pays it forward. He spent Thursday night teaching the wealthy, somewhat naive families moving in around him how to keep their kids and homes safe.
Stewart, 88, practices observation meditation twice a day to help him build a healthy relationship with his emotions — watching them, not letting them control him — to deal with the stress of fires. He sat at the country market with his longtime friend and neighbor, Karly Sierka, 23. The two had connected over tennis years ago; Stewart was a professional player, and Sierka played in high school.
“I cried yesterday ... it was triggering of Woolsey when we lost our childhood home in the mountains,” Sierka said. “I was in high school. I had to go to therapy every day.”
Sierka couldn’t help but think of everything that burned in the 2018 blaze. The childhood trophies and drawings. The countless mountain lions, snakes, tarantulas, birds.
One table over, Keiren Clasby, the tenant farmer of the 16-acre Malibu Fig Ranch at Sterling Farms, sat with her workmate Cheri Caleb.
“The big thing is the trauma,” Clasby said. “Once you are there for each other to talk, it unravels.”
After the Palisades fire, the ranch began hosting weekly community potluck dinners for anyone who lost their home. Woolsey fire survivors began attending to help guide the Palisades survivors. They’d write down seemingly “innocent” questions — like “What do you think the fire has taught you?” — on paper. Each would pick a card to share.
“A lot of people from the Woolsey fire got up, and I think they surprised themselves with how emotional they still got,” Caleb said.
“It’s a slow death for a lot of people because the fire in Woolsey was so traumatic. I had a beautiful woman who was one of my accountants,” Clasby said. “Her husband had a construction business of 35, 40 years. He lost it all. She lost her house. She lost her animals, her dog and her cat. And she never returned.”
As essential as the emotional piece is, some admit that the real secret to staying in Malibu is just doing everything you can to make sure your home doesn’t burn down, then praying. Many who hadn’t lost a house couldn’t imagine surviving a grueling six-year fight with an insurance company for money and the city for permits — let alone twice.
“It’s devastating. It couldn’t get worse than that — your whole life, your plan, everything ... one day it’s all gone,” Stewart said. “That’s why we fight like hell to keep the house.”
Part of that work is and . The basics include covering vents with mesh so embers can’t sneak in and ensuring every window and door is closed. As for the yard, residents clear dead debris and remove anything flammable near the house. But many Malibu residents acknowledge this only reduces the risk your home burns — and provides no guarantees.
“The truth is, the only way your house survives is if you stay,” Devane said.
Stewart leaves ladders by his house so any community members who stay behind can reach the roof, and Sierka credits a neighbor for keeping that house standing during Woolsey. Clasby had stayed behind and put out embers landing in trees.
It’s a practice that is illegal and heavily discouraged by fire officials who say it not only risks killing those who stay behind, but it can also force fire departments to divert resources from attacking the fire to instead saving residents. Yet, it’s commonplace in Malibu.
“There’s no denying that,” said Keegan Gibbs, co-founder and director of the Local Brigade, which had about 48 volunteers on standby Thursday. “It’s part of the DNA of our community.”
L.A. County formalized a local brigade program — which has existed in various forms as guerrilla groups of good Samaritans for decades — in 2023. With some formal firefighter training and background checks, volunteers commit to following fire officials’ orders, helping residents evacuate and putting out spot fires, while leaving the ferocious front-line flames to the professionals.
While others find peace through meditation and community dinners, Gibbs finds it through the brigade.
“The work that we’ve done with the local brigade has allowed me to be at peace with the inevitability and the reality that we’re going to have more fires,” he said, “because it gives us and the community agency ... We can take part in our own fate.”
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection was busy Friday tracking multiple fires across the state Friday, and the weather will provide little relief over the weekend.Critical fire conditions are expected to persist as a threatening combination of strong Santa Ana winds, low humidity and dry vegetation will make it more difficult to contain wildfires in the region, Los Angeles County officials said Friday.In San Diego County, the day-old, 2,080-acre Henderson Fire was burning at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton,...
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection was busy Friday tracking multiple fires across the state Friday, and the weather will provide little relief over the weekend.
Critical fire conditions are expected to persist as a threatening combination of strong Santa Ana winds, low humidity and dry vegetation will make it more difficult to contain wildfires in the region, Los Angeles County officials said Friday.
In San Diego County, the day-old, 2,080-acre Henderson Fire was burning at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and, just north of the base, in San Juan Capistrano, was the 465-acre Norte Fire.
A blaze in Malibu known as the Bryson Fire has triggered evacuations in the famed Southern California beach community. It was at 146 acres and was 17% contained Friday evening.
Firefighters worked overnight to suppress the fire, said Lindsey P. Horvath, supervisor of the Los Angeles County’s third district.
“It is still red flag alert,” Horvath said in a news conference Friday morning, adding that such conditions are expected to last at least until Saturday night. “Be vigilant and be prepared.”
Flames from the Henderson Fire at Camp Pendleton on Friday licked the northbound shoulder of Interstate 5, the main artery between the state’s two largest cities, Los Angeles and San Diego, and prompted the California Highway Patrol to shut it down for more than four hours.
Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner line between the two cities announced a track closure and warned its customers of “significant delays and/or cancellations” on Friday.
Slide 1 of 15
Slide 1 of 15
Neighborhoods near Calle Delgado in San Juan Capistrano faced mandatory evacuation orders as the separate-but-nearby Norte fire “continues to grow,” the Orange County Fire Authority said on Friday afternoon.
An estimated 16,000 residents were subjected to mandatory evacuation orders, Orange County Fire Authority Chief TJ McGovern said at an evening news conference about the Norte Fire.
Among them was U.S. Rep. Mike Levin, D-Calif., who said he had to abandon his longtime home in San Juan Capistrano. He thanked firefighters for keeping it standing.
“You saved our entire neighborhood today,” Levin said at the news conference.
Two of the estimated 400 firefighters assigned to the Norte Fire were stabilized at a hospital after sustaining unspecified injuries battling the blaze, McGovern said.
This video file cannot be played.(Error Code: 102630)
Six homes destroyed, two firefighters injured in Southern California wildfire
02:03
At least six homes have been damaged or destroyed since the fire was reported about 11:30 a.m., he said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said the state secured a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help fund the firefight in Orange County. Firefighters and equipment were staged in the county Thursday in anticipation of Friday’s fire weather, it said.
The governor’s office blamed “a significant wind event” for imperiling Southern California communities and fanning the Norte Fire, which is also beset by low humidity and summer-like temperatures.
It warned residents that utilities may shut off power as a precaution intended to avoid live lines sparking wildfires
Federal forecasters said the Norte Fire was thriving in 96-degree temperatures, with offshore winds clocking speeds as great as 30 mph.
The Bryson Fire began just before 5 p.m. Thursday on Encinal Canyon Road’s rugged terrain in the Santa Monica Mountains.
No fatalities and no structure losses or damages have been reported as of Friday morning. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said he estimates that more than a hundred structures in the general area of the Bryson Fire are threatened.
At least one firefighter had minor injuries from working to contain the fire Thursday night. That person was transported to a hospital and is expected to recover, Marrone said.
Evacuation orders for the Encinal, Trancas and Zuna Canyon areas have been issued, meaning residents must leave immediately as they face an immediate threat to life and property because of the Bryson Fire.
Over 400 firefighters are continuing to work on containing the Bryson Fire alongside more than 75 “ground and aerial resources,” Marrone said.
Winds from up to 35 mph are expected to heighten fire weather threats in the area, according to the National Weather Service, with gusts forecast to reach up to 70 mph.
These conditions could potentially help spark new fires or allow existing fires to rapidly spread. The risk for fires will be highest on Friday for western Los Angeles County, Ventura County and southeastern Santa Barbara County.
“As wildfires continue to burn faster and push deeper into our built environment, I urge residents to continue to monitor high-risk weather conditions,” Marrone said.
Hours before the Bryson Fire began Thursday, another wildfire erupted in the city of Azusa, located north of Los Angeles.
The Peak Fire burned 43 acres on Thursday and briefly prompted evacuation orders for a neighborhood in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains. Forward progress on the blaze had been stopped by Thursday night after firefighter managed to contain 41% of it.
Share
Savewith a NBCUniversal Profile
Add NBC News to Google
Nicole Acevedo
Nicole Acevedo is a news reporter for NBC News.
Dennis Romero
Dennis Romero is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.
Chris Perez, Kathryn Prociv, The Associated Press, Danielle Smith and Erick Mendoza contributed.
The 146-acre Bryson Fire in Malibu was 74% contained Sunday, with more favorable weather conditions expected to aid firefighters who continued to mop up hot spots.All evacuation orders were lifted Saturday, when a red flag warning expired and authorities reopened roads, including Topanga Canyon Boulevard.Residents in two zones were still told to remain alert and be prepared to evacuate if conditions change, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.The fire broke out shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday near Cam...
The 146-acre Bryson Fire in Malibu was 74% contained Sunday, with more favorable weather conditions expected to aid firefighters who continued to mop up hot spots.
All evacuation orders were lifted Saturday, when a red flag warning expired and authorities reopened roads, including Topanga Canyon Boulevard.
Residents in two zones were still told to remain alert and be prepared to evacuate if conditions change, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
The fire broke out shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday near Campus Vernon Kilpatrick on Encinal Canyon Road west of Mulholland Highway, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said Friday morning that no structures had been damaged or destroyed, although 7,221 structures remained threatened as of Friday evening. In Saturday evening's update, county officials reported no structures lost or damaged and only minor injuries to fire personnel.
The cause of the blaze remained unclear. It erupted amid gusting Santa Ana winds.
More resources are on their way to the Bryson Fire as a red flag warning remains in effect. Darsha Philips reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026.
There were 715 people assigned to the fire as of Saturday night, along with 60 engines, according to Cal Fire. By Sunday morning that number had been reduced to 200.
As the fire grew Thursday, incident commanders issued a second alarm, summoning additional crews. Water- and retardant-dropping helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were dispatched to battle the fire, which burned in largely inaccessible terrain.
Evacuation warnings had been issued for a large area stretching from near Malibu Road and Pacific Coast Highway to Leo Carrillo State Beach. An evacuation order was subsequently issued in the more immediate area, including Zuma and Trancas canyons.
Some 38 youths from Campus Vernon Kilpatrick, a juvenile detention facility, were taken to Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar, according to the Los Angeles County Probation Department. The department announced Saturday evening that it had determined conditions were safe for the youths to return to Campus Vernon Kilpatrick, and staff were coordinating their return.
Many residents in the area had been without power due to Southern California Edison's precautionary Public Safety Power Shutoff program, designed to cut electricity to lines that could be damaged by high winds and spark brush fires. County officials announced Saturday evening that planned power shutoffs were being canceled and utilities were working to restore service to locations where electricity had been interrupted Friday.
SCE said Sunday that all customers who were without electricity due to Public Safety Power Shutoffs over the past few days had been re-energized.
The fire has scorched at least 200 acres and is 0% contained. Keenan Willard reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026.
Red Cross Los Angeles established an emergency shelter for evacuees at Agoura High School, but county officials announced Saturday evening that the shelter had closed.
The Malibu Boys & Girls Club opened a Disaster Relief Center for students and families seeking wellness support or disaster-related services, city officials said.
An animal evacuation center was established at the Agoura Animal Care Center for pets and small animals, while a shelter for large animals was established at Pierce College Equestrian Center, according to the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management.
The large-animal shelter at Pierce College closed Saturday evening, and the Agoura Animal Care Center returned to regular operating hours, county officials said.
The Getty Villa was closed to the public Friday and Saturday "out of an abundance of caution, and to help keep surrounding roads clear for emergency responders," according to an announcement on social media.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna warned anyone thinking about burglarizing homes in evacuated or blacked-out areas to think again.
"If you think you are going to come in and take advantage of these poor folks who have been asked to evacuate or who don't have power, you are going to run into probably deputies who aren't in uniform and are just out there specifically looking for that challenge," he said.
805-563-6440
