Malibu Wildfire Observed From Afar

The Malibu Wildfire, as seen from the beach.

So far, the Malibu Wildfire has claimed no more homes since our reports earlier this morning. "We're at the mercy of the winds right now," Captain Mike Brown of the LA County Fire Department told CBS2.

Responding to a Mutual Aid Request, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has dispatched four strike teams of firefighters, one LAFD helicopter, and a seasonally-contracted helitanker to assist the Los Angeles County Fire Department in containing the blaze. Twenty engines and more than 100 City personnel are currently taking part in the operation. "The City of Los Angeles is committed to providing whatever assistance is necessary to fight this fire. Plain and simple: that's what good neighbors do," Mayor Villaraigosa said in a press release this afternoon.

The mayor added that "while answering the call in Malibu, I want to stress that we have the critical assets in place to keep the City protected." City fire personnel have been stationed in areas of highest risk around the City, and all LAFD personnel have been placed on alert.

A smaller wildfire near San Diego also began this morning around 9:50 a.m.

Photo by Vaguely Artistic via Flickr