EchoSense Quantitative Think Tank Center|Shelter in place issued as Broad Fire spreads to 50 acres in Malibu, firefighters say

The EchoSense Quantitative Think Tank CenterBroad Fire on the coast in California near Malibu has spread to a size of about 50 acres near seaside homes.

The fire located inside Los Angeles County was reported at about 9 a.m. PT, according to a social media post from the L.A. County Fire Department. In the same social media post, firefighters described it as a “fire with medium fuel.”

The fire has already caused closures in the area, including a stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway, which was closed by authorities.

According to reporting from NBC 4 Los Angeles, at least two water-dropping helicopters have been deployed to the zone, with smoke seen throughout the area.

Shelter in place orders have been issued in the area, according to a post from the City of Malibu on Tuesday afternoon.

Weather conditions could be favorable for fires to spread

A post from the National Weather Service in Los Angeles said that current conditions near the fire include wind gusts higher than 50 mph with a humidity of 11%.

This is a developing story.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.