Early Thursday morning in Malibu, students at Malibu High School speculated about potential school closures amid growing concerns over worsening fire conditions. Their apprehension soon proved justified as power outages affected much of the town, a precautionary measure by Southern California Edison amid intensifying Santa Ana winds. By late afternoon, reports emerged of a new wildfire—the Bryson fire—igniting on the opposite side of the mountains, driven toward the coast by strong winds.

Residents, many of whom have endured multiple devastating fires, recognized the familiar tension permeating the community. While the Bryson fire did not escalate to the scale of previous disasters such as the 2018 Woolsey fire or the 2025 Palisades fire, it nevertheless reawakened deep-seated trauma and anxiety.

Longtime locals have developed various coping strategies to manage the recurring threat, including meditation, ocean swims to induce the mammalian dive response, and participation in support groups designed to help process collective grief. Kim Devane, a Malibu resident who lost her home in 2018 and suffered further property losses in 2025, underscored the emotional toll of facing rebuilding efforts repeatedly. “The idea of having to do that again…” she remarked, trailing off as she walked her dog near Trancas County Market, where local volunteers gathered in support of fire response efforts.

As the fire risk heightened and power outages extended, some residents sought refuge in camper vans or relied on generators. Despite the turmoil, many described a strong sense of community rallying in response. Forrest Stewart, a Malibu native with decades of experience dealing with wildfires, spent Thursday evening imparting fire safety knowledge to newer residents. Stewart credits his 93-year-old neighbor, a retired fire chief, with teaching him much of what he knows about surviving the region’s wildfires. He practices observation meditation twice daily to maintain emotional resilience in the face of repeated crises.

At a nearby table, Karly Sierka, 23, reflected on the persistent trauma carried by those who lived through the Woolsey fire as teenagers. Therapy and the loss of childhood memories remain vivid reminders of what was destroyed during that blaze. Meanwhile, owners of the Malibu Fig Ranch have organized weekly potlucks to provide ongoing support to fire survivors. These gatherings facilitate open dialogue, allowing participants to share experiences and process the emotional impact of their losses together.

For many, survival hinges on a combination of emotional fortitude, community support, and rigorous home protection measures. Residents emphasize the importance of “home hardening” techniques, such as installing mesh over vents to block embers, clearing flammable debris from around properties, and ensuring all windows and doors are secured during fire events. However, these precautions reduce but do not eliminate the risk of destruction.

Some community members proactively choose to stay behind during fires to safeguard their properties, a practice widely discouraged by fire agencies due to the danger it poses to individuals and the demands it places on firefighting resources. Still, it remains ingrained in Malibu’s culture. Locally, groups like the Local Brigade—an officially recognized volunteer firefighting support team formed in 2023—provide trained assistance with evacuations and fire suppression efforts, aiming to bridge the gap between authorities and residents.

Keegan Gibbs, co-founder of the Local Brigade, expressed that participating in these efforts offers a measure of control amid the seeming inevitability of recurring wildfires. “It gives us and the community agency… We can take part in our own fate,” he said, highlighting how such engagement fosters resilience across Malibu as residents prepare for future fire seasons.