Crime & Safety

UPDATE: 450-Acre Camp Pendleton 'Combat' Fire 95 Percent Contained

The blaze started Monday afternoon in the Kilo 2 area, which is off Basilone Road, near the center of the base.

UPDATE July 18 at 3:08 p.m.: A 450-acre brush fire that broke out on Camp Pendleton Monday afternoon is now at around 95 percent containment, Marine officials are reporting.

The fire has been dubbed the "Combat" blaze because it burned in the Urban Combat Town training area on base, according to the Camp Pendleton Fire Department. On Monday the fire forced traffic through the base to be rerouted, according to officials.  

The blaze was no longer spreading as of 6 p.m. Tuesday, though it was still generating some plumes of light smoke, according to base officials.

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Two Camp Pendleton firefighters were in stable condition Tuesday after suffering minor smoke inhalation and burn injuries while battling the blaze at the North County Marine Corps installation, authorities said.

There is no threat from the blaze to the Southwest Riverside County or Fallbrook area, although smoke is still drifting, North County Fire Protection District has reported.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The blaze started in the Kilo 2 area, which is off Basilone Road, near the center of the base.

The fire was sparked at about 4 p.m. Monday by training, Gunnery Sgt. Paul McQuigg, a spokesman for the base told City News Service. Camp Pendleton Fire Department reports the incident began around 3 p.m.

Cal Fire was been sent out to assist on the blaze, according to the City News Service report.

"In addition to six Pendleton engines, one water tender, one quick attack, one paramedic ambulance, and multiple chief officers, the incident commander has requested multiple aircraft, engines, and hand crews from our regional mutual aid neighbors," Camp Pendleton Fire Department reported in a statement.

 


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