How Malibu’s Surf Community Is Rebuilding in the Wake of Wildfires

On January 7, 2025, the Palisades fire made its way to Malibu’s shores, destroying everything in its wake.

Oceanside estates which stood tall since the 70s were burnt to nothing but ash and charred wooden frames.

Years of memories were incinerated in one untamable wildfire, sending shockwaves throughout the Malibu surf community.

The familiar scent of salt air was tinged with smoke, making lineups feel lighter in the shadow of loss. In the aftermath of the wildfires, Malibu surfers weren’t just wrestling with battered waves and murky water. They were facing something deeper, a fractured community scarred by destructive flames and the loss of family homes. 

The Palisades Fire left over 6,800 structures destroyed and many families without a home. The runoff from these memory-filled structures left many surf spots polluted and filled with debris. In a landscape where the hills meet the ocean, wildfire runoff can quickly transform surf into a hazardous plight.

“With many of these houses being built in the 70s with asbestos, being away from the water right after these fires was essential to staying healthy,” said Brock. “These toxic chemicals are destructive to the ocean.” Although eventually maintained, the Palisade fires had left Malibu and the surrounding areas with irreparable damage. 

As older homes burn, contaminants were washed into creeks, leading directly to popular surf spots. The short-term health risks are real, as surfers are advised to stay clear of the water after fires, but the long-term damage is harder to gauge.

As the weeks have progressed toxic debris has cleared from many of Malibu's surf breaks, leaving the community hopeful for safe passage at their favorite spots. “I’m still going out four or five times a week,” said Brock, “but only up north, away from the toxic debris.” This holds throughout the community, as surfers feel safer away from the areas that were most affected. This leaves a community dismantled with locals looking for new places to surf. 

In the wake of wildfires, Malibu's surf community has also seen a beloved surf shop close its doors for good. The weight of the destructive fires that occurred just a month prior, paired with the closure of Becker Surf Shop, was heavily felt across the community.

This surf shop wasn’t only a local staple but a big communal supporter during the worst of the fires. Beckers hosted a wildfire relief, aiding victims and community members in need, proving its importance to locals by standing as a sanctuary for support. “Personally, it was my surf shop go-to and it is a big loss

seeing it go,” Brock said. “The closing of a local surf shop is painful for everyone involved.” Losing local shops means more than fewer places to purchase equipment, it’s reminiscent of the destruction of family homes that once stood along the Malibu coastline. 

Despite the loss this community has endured over the past few months, there are signs of hope. Pacific Coast Highway has finally reopened from Santa Monica to Cross Creek, including all four lanes and bringing crowds in greater numbers than ever.

“This past Memorial Day weekend was the biggest I have seen,” said Olen Campos, LA County lifeguard and Malibu surf local. “People were itching to paddle out.” This influx of hungry surfers has been great for local business and the overall surf community. 

The return of visitors signals that a period of healing has begun, being a positive glimpse at Malibu’s surf community rising from the ashes. “Anything that helps the community heal should be supported,” said Campos.