APTOPIX California Wildfires

Several brush fires are burning in Southern California, stoked by hot, windy weather that caused utility companies to shut off electricity for tens of thousands of people around the state. A rapidly spreading blaze in Malibu prompted evacuation orders and warnings Thursday for a large swathe of the Santa Monica Mountains. Firefighters worked to contain two other fires that had sparked in the afternoon and triggered evacuation orders in the city of Azusa, north of LA, and Camp Pendleton near San Diego. Weather conditions that increase the fire risk are expected to last through Saturday.

Several brush fires are burning in Southern California, stoked by hot, windy weather that's led to some evacuations and caused utility companies to shut off electricity for tens of thousands of people around the state. A rapidly spreading blaze in Malibu prompted evacuation orders and warnings Thursday for a large swathe of the Santa Monica Mountains. Firefighters worked to contain two other fires that had sparked in the afternoon. Weather conditions that increase the fire risk are expected to last through Saturday.