U.S.CALIFORNIA FIRES

California brush fires force evacuations and power shutoffs

Utilities cut power to about 150,000 customers as a precaution while a fast-spreading Malibu blaze prompted evacuation orders; many Californians woke up without electricity.

On air: Vera Bullock on BBN Newsroom
Published 10:05 AM ET, Friday, October 16, 2026

At a glance

First reported by The Guardian: “California brush fires force evacuations and tens of thousands of power shutoffs”.
Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 10:05 AM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Vera Bullock.
Topics: California.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The GuardianCalifornia brush fires force evacuations and tens of thousands of power shutoffs

What BBN said about it

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSeveral brush fires in southern California, fed by hot, windy weather, have forced evacuations, and a fast-moving blaze in Malibu has prompted evacuation orders and warnings.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorUtilities have also shut off power to about one hundred fifty thousand customers as a precaution, and many woke up in the dark.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorOrrin Vandeveer, a county supervisor, joins us. Sir, what should people know?
Orrin VandeveerEvacuate if you are told to. I signed that evacuation protocol personally, and it is working beautifully this morning.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo, about the shutoffs. Tens of thousands of families have no power. Was your county ready for that?
Orrin VandeveerThe shutoffs were the utility's decision, and that was before my time. But the generator list, I signed that personally.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorBut you didn't answer the question. Was the county ready for people losing power during a fire?
Orrin VandeveerReadiness is a journey. The review was scheduled before my time, and the hydrant here reminds me every day what we owe people.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSir, that hydrant is not connected to anything, is it?
Orrin VandeveerIt is ceremonial. I signed the ceremony personally, and the water situation is the state's problem, which predates me.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThen the most useful thing is simple: follow local evacuation orders, keep your phone charged, and check official alerts.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThank you, Supervisor. Please go check on that review; people are counting on it. Rex, what have you got for the hot seat?