June 22--A two-acre brush fire sparked by a fatal crash in Malibu on Monday prompted officials to close Malibu Canyon Road near Pacific Coast Highway.
The brush fire broke out just after noon Monday when a vehicle went over a hillside and sparked flames at South Malibu Canyon Road and West Pacific Coast Highway, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The driver was killed.
Witnesses reported seeing smoke billowing from the canyon, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Because the crash sparked a brush fire near the roadway, authorities closed Malibu Canyon from PCH to Piuma Road in Malibu.
Sheriff's officials advised drivers to avoid the area.
The area will be closed until further notice due to a death investigation, the CHP said.
UPDATE
1:44 p.m.: This story has been updated with new details about the crash and road closures.
This story was originally published at 12:46 p.m.
