Camp Pendleton Brush Fire Grows to 1K Acres

Originally posted at 2:25 p.m. 

THIRD UPDATE: A fire burning on Camp Pendleton had scorched 1,000 acres as of 9:45 p.m. Saturday, according to a news release. 

It was 15 percent contained as of that time, and moving north along the Santa Margarita River. 

More than 200 firefighters from Camp Pendleton and mutual crews were expected to work throughout the evening, base officials stated.

About 230 residents evacuated from O’Neill Heights were provided alternate housing on base for the evening following the fire that was reported at 12:45 p.m. Saturday near the vicinity of Lake O’Neill.

Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton has since been reopened after about 30 patients were evacuated earlier in the day to other area hospitals due to a power outage.
--Maggie Avants

SECOND UPDATE: An estimated 250-acre fire burning on Camp Pendleton today prompted authorities to evacuate some residents of a nearby housing area, damaged three buildings and sent smoke billowing into the air that could be seen from several areas in Southwest Riverside County.

The non-injury fire was reported about 12:45 p.m. near Lake O'Neill near the center of the post. No estimates on containment were available, according to base officials.

Some residents of the O'Neill Heights housing area were evacuated to the Paige Fieldhouse, base officials said. The nearby De Luz neighborhood was not evacuated, nor was Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton.

The fire caused minor damage to three buildings, base officials said.

Smoke was visible from Interstate 5 in Oceanside, where motorists called 911 as they encountered it. The fire was also visible in Fallbrook and other areas in North County, according to base and fire officials and the California
Highway Patrol.

Camp Pendleton firefighters were dispatched to battle the blaze, as were
Cal Fire engines, air tankers and a helicopter, according to base officials
and Cal Fire.

--

FIRST UPDATE: Smoke billowing from a fire that scorched 100 acres near Camp Pendleton was visible from across Southwest Riverside County this afternoon, authorities said.

The fire was reported about 1 p.m. around Lake O'Neill near the center of the post, and smoke was also visible from Interstate 5 in Oceanside, where motorists called 911 as they encountered it, Gunnery Sgt. Leo Salinas said.

A containment size was not immediately known and a cause behind the fire was under investigation, Salinas said.

"This incident continues to change rapidly," reports the Camp Pendleton Fire Department Facebook page. "Residents of O'Neill Heights have been evacuated. Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton will shelter patients in place, but is not receiving any further patients.

Smoke also was visible in Fallbrook and other areas in North County, according to base and fire officials and the California Highway Patrol.

A huge plume of smoke alarmed a number of residents near Cal Fire station 12 in Temecula, Cal Fire spokesman Fernando Ruiz.

The calls prompted Cal Fire crews to go out in connection with the blaze happening in Camp Pendleton, the firefighter said.

"We've been getting reports every five minutes," Ruiz said.

Smoke arising from over the crest of the mountains is nothing new but Cal Fire Capt. Brian Wiswell, of Station 92 in Temecula, said it could still be seen.

"We can barely see it over the hills," Wiswell said. "It looks a lot closer than it is."

Camp Pendleton firefighters were dispatched to battle the blaze, as were Cal Fire engines, air tankers and a helicopter, according to base officials and Cal Fire. --City News Service.

EARLIER POST: A brush fire is burning in the southeast corner Camp Pendleton but is visible as far away as the Murrieta/Temecula area.

According to the Pendleton Scout Facebook page, the fire is near Lake O’Neill.

“O'Neill Heights housing has been evacuated. We will post more details as we receive them,” according to the Facebook page.

The Riverside County Fire Department put out a release saying there is no threat to Riverside County.

According to the Camp Pendleton Fire Department’s Facebook page, aircraft and more firefighters are en route.

Cal Fire engines, air tankers and a helicopter have also been dispatched to the scene, according to base officials and Cal Fire.

Patch will have more details as they become available.

-- City News Service contributed to this report.