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CAMP PENDLETON: Fire chars 1,000 acres; dry winds expected Sunday
No injuries or damaged structures reported
By North County Times | ∞
A fire burns on Camp Pendleton beyond the houses of the Wilmont Ranch neighborhood in Oceanside. The blaze had burned more than 1,000 acres by Wednesday evening. (Photo by Bill Wechter - Staff Photographer) 
A large plume of smoke billows from Camp Pendleton on Wednesday. (Photo by Jamie Scott Lytle - Staff Photographer) 
A fire burns on Camp Pendleton behind Rivertree Drive homes in northern Oceanside. The blaze had burned more than 1,000 acres by Wednesday evening. (Photo by Bill Wechter - Staff Photographer) CAMP PENDLETON ---- A brush fire on Camp Pendleton had burned more than 1,000 acres as of Wednesday night and was still spreading, base officials said.
Marine Maj. Kristen Lasica, a base spokeswoman, said firefighters had the upper hand on the blaze but did not have it surrounded or controlled. Winds of 5 to 10 mph were slowly pushing the flames to the northeast.
Watch the video
The fire started about 3:30 p.m. on a grassy training range on the southwest part of the base. It produced a huge plume of smoke along the southern border of the Marine Corps base, from east Oceanside to Interstate 15.
Although the fire stayed on the base, it burned only about a mile from its border, worrying many residents to the south, authorities said. North County emergency dispatchers said they received "constant" calls from residents concerned that the fire was headed their way.
Four strike teams of five brush engines from Camp Pendleton, coastal and inland North County fire departments and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection battled the blaze, Lasica said. Nine aircraft, including helicopters and planes, assisted by daylight but had to suspend operations at nightfall, she said.
The blaze charred unoccupied land, and no structures were damaged or threatened Wednesday night, Lasica said. The base's golf course at the edge of the range was evacuated as a precautionary measure, base officials said.
No injuries were reported. The fire's cause had not been determined Wednesday, Lasica said.
The blaze took hold on a day of near-record temperatures and blustery winds, but forecasters said that the riskiest fire weather is expected sometime Sunday.
Following a cooling trend Thursday through Saturday, the dry offshore winds known as Santa Anas are expected to kick up in San Diego County on Sunday and last through Monday, said National Weather Service meteorologist Stan Wasowski.
Santa Anas are known for pushing wildfires throughout Southern California, including the fires that devastated the county in October 2007 and October 2003.
Fire warnings have been issued for Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, where humidity is low and winds are expected to be high, especially along the Interstate 5 corridor.
For more information about wildfire preparation, visit http://sdcountyemergency.com.
Staff writer Colleen Mensching contributed to this story.
Contact staff writer Sarah Gordon at (760) 740-3517 or sgordon@nctimes.com.
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AnTmAn wrote on Oct 8, 2008 5:35 PM:'ugh' is exactly what alot of our expressions are here on base..... another fire... get ready, start packing, we might get evac.... zzzzz
DeLuz wrote on Oct 8, 2008 5:51 PM:I called Camp Pendleton Fire when this fire was a mere puff of smoke, visible from my house in DeLuz. The person on the phone actually said to me "Maa'm are you sure it's not your neighbors BBQ?"
Get er done
Long Beach wrote on Oct 8, 2008 6:12 PM:it's that time of year again i guess... i can see the smoke from LONG BEACH...
Monica wrote on Oct 8, 2008 6:16 PM:I saw the black smoke coming from the golf course area and then when I got off base I saw the flames from Pala Rd. in Oceanside at my sitters house. We wathed the air crafts dump water but it's like the flames are laughing at them. I'm staying off base tonight, don't feel like having a replay from last year.
Oside Mom wrote on Oct 8, 2008 6:20 PM:The Channel 8 news van was just driving out there about 30 minutes ago. The guy on AM 600 said it was blowing West about an hour ago. I don't think it ever blew West. He needs a compass. Last I saw it was blowing Northeast. I'm in Oceanside off the 76.
shauna wrote on Oct 8, 2008 6:26 PM:"A brush fire on the on the southwest side of Camp Pendleton had reached 100 acres late Tuesday afternoon, base officials said."
Ummm... it's *Wednesday* not Tuesday. The fire hasn't been burning since yesterday.
mimi wrote on Oct 8, 2008 6:57 PM:Is it 100 or 1,000 acres? Other news sources are reporting 100 acres. I wish one of the fire news sites (North County Fire Protection District, for example) would have some up-to-date news.
Vista wrote on Oct 8, 2008 7:04 PM:is the fire near vista? were near the oceanside border, off emerald street which turns into north.
BurningMan wrote on Oct 8, 2008 7:13 PM:I left work at about 530 and the fire was just over the ridge of the 24 area and near the brig
Adam wrote on Oct 8, 2008 7:25 PM:The fire is really bad right now. It is still hot outside. I live close by the reservation. Man this fire is out of contrul
Jeffries Ranch wrote on Oct 8, 2008 7:37 PM:The fire is a mile or less from the Oceanside City line, but no evacuations have been put into effect?
worried wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:03 PM:Does anyone have an update on this fire?? It seems to be travelling down the hills towards northeast oceanside.
Carlos wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:24 PM:just saw the flames i was on the el camino by the 76 it looks like a big fire. hope this doesn't get any bigger nothing on the news yet. but would the news be allowed on camp pendelton?
Katie wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:29 PM:I live in Wire Mountain 2 Housing and I can see it from my front porch! Its scary looking i tell ya! Tonight after dark i walked outside and saw red! Im packed and ready if need be!
Oside Mom wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:42 PM:Any updates on the fire? There is nothing on the news/tv as usual. My daughter took a picture with her phone from College & Mesa and there are a bunch of flames coming over the hill. Great picture for a cell phone!
Vista Watchdog wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:44 PM:"Two helicopters and two fixed-wing airplanes were also assisting."
Update: There were 5 fixed-wing:
2 S-2s, 2 Twin Otters, and 1 P-3 (not to mention the OV-10 spotter).
There were at least 5 rotor craft as well:
2 CH-46s, 2 UH-1, and 1 AH-1.
The P-3 departed after its last drop around 6:45 and the Twin Otters departed shortly there after. The rotor crafter were also leaving by 7pm. At that point the flare ups only got worse. Too bad we can't fly at nigh with NVGs!
Good Luck and God willing we will have this one out before dawn and without the loss of any houses!
Anna wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:45 PM:Any updates on the fire. Friends that are near the fire are scared to go to bed not knowing if they will be evacuated.
Stef wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:54 PM:Hey we see it now from our house off the 76 and College and it looks close!
OnLooker wrote on Oct 8, 2008 9:10 PM:I saw smoke coming over a hill in Temecula and I assumed the hill was on fire, nice to know it was just Pendleton.
Unreal wrote on Oct 8, 2008 9:11 PM:I would like to thank all the non-thinking people today that drove up and down the streets just to get a look at what was going on, i guess it's a good think that you weren't in the way of the fire department
Riley wrote on Oct 8, 2008 9:23 PM:I live on a hill in Oceanside right across from where the fire is burning. If it crossed that ridge that lies between it and me... It wouldn't be good. :|
Laura wrote on Oct 8, 2008 9:32 PM:The Camp Pendelton fire is "one mile from homes", like that's reassuring? The fires last year started in Ramona and forced the entire city of Escondido 20 miles away to evacuate a mere 12 hours later... if you can see the flames from your home, you need to start packing! Global warming, people...vote for Obama/Biden....Sarah Palin thinks it's all a figment of our imaginations!
Roland wrote on Oct 8, 2008 9:56 PM:The fire orginated near the Golf Course on Camp Pendleton near the Douglas Ave gate. At this time I can still see the flow of the fire to the west from my home next to Lake Guajome.
WW wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:21 PM:I live in Jeffries Ranch. When I left my house at 8:00 the entire hillside behind Henry's market on College and the 76 was ablaze and very visibile. I just drove back through the same intersection, and while I can still see flames in the distance, they are not nearly as large or nearly as close.
nini wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:24 PM:I CAN SEE THE FIRE FROM MY LIVING ROOM ITS LIKE RIGHT THERE IN MY BACK YARD. IS IT CONTAINED? CAN SOMEONE WHO KNOWS PLEASE POST THE NEWS. THANKS
tilli wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:26 PM:The smoke is really bad in Temecula too. Any updates on this fire?
TEMECULA wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:26 PM:I first seen the fire at 4pm, from Fallbrook, Then drove home to Tememcula... but didn't see any smoke from there, then about 6pm there was lots of SMOKE SMELL & in the air, all the way in Temecula... it is now 10:25pm & STILL there is the smell of SMOKE in Temecula... Lost our home last year & don't want to repeat it again this year...
nini wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:45 PM:well the flames are larger as i reported earlier, it seems to be moving fast. sorry to hear about your loss "TEMECULA" lets just all hope and pray no one looses theier homes to the fires this year.
Will wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:47 PM:I just noticed the fire from the Carlsbad village drive exit from 5 North while coming home from night school at La Mesa. I can see the blaze from my house off of C village drive and huge plumes of smoke. I can also smell smoke and am considering spending the night away from home.
Del Mar wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:49 PM:I'm on Pendleton, on camp Del Mar,by the beach. I was coming back from San Marcos around 9pm and could see the smoke all the way back. I stopped at the pacific plaza (main gate)commissary/gas station parking lot at 9:30pm and could see flames. The wind is blowing in my direction, toward the west.
To Laura wrote on Oct 8, 2008 11:00 PM:I've been living in So Cal for over 60 years, Ain't no more fire now than before! Ain't global warming that causes the fires. It's just nature. In fact, if you've ever studied CA history you'd know this place burn as much if not more than it shakes.
The real problem ain't the global warming, its the politicians and the tree huggers who won't let us cut the brush, or manage our open space. Then there are all those crazy contracting rules that favor their union buddies.
What we need is not more money from the home owners/taxpayers. We need to once again train and outfit the volunteer fire fighters that once helped us to fight and contain these fires. I did it back in the 50's and 60's. Actually was a lot of fun when I was young pup.
No Laura, socialism and scare tactics are not the answer. Free enterprise and American ingenuity will win out every time.
skippy wrote on Oct 8, 2008 11:13 PM:The fire is not getting any bigger. It should be under control by morning.
Folks, this is a nothing fire! There are no winds, and the gentle breeze is blowing from the west. That's why is smokey in Temeku.
BIG santa ana winds are coming this weekend. THAT's when it will be dangerous. Please be careful!
agaiin wrote on Oct 8, 2008 11:16 PM:i heard on the news that the fire was caused and initially was a "contained fire" that eventually got out of control hope they extingish it soon before santa ana winds hit this weekend
ken6000 wrote on Oct 8, 2008 11:38 PM:I'm getting smoked out way up here in Pine Cove. I saw the smoke cloud before sunset out past Temecula, then around 9:00 it started smelling like that typical acrid brush fire smoke up here on the mountain. I've watched the city lights down below gradually fade from view. I hope we don't have another year like last year...
south oceanside wrote on Oct 8, 2008 11:49 PM:I just drove up Douglas to Pala and the fire is closer than it was during the day. The flames seemed to be up to 20-30 feet high in spots. Anyone who lives north of 76 or Mission might want to be ready to evacuate in case the winds pick up. Hopefully they will stay calm and they get this one out. Let's all pray for the firefighters to "git er done."
John wrote on Oct 9, 2008 4:50 AM:I live in Fallbrook, what a grim reminder of the devastation that swept through here last year.
Can't the Marine Corps suspend training when Santa Ana winds come calling? Seems to me to be a "no brainer"? I call on the base commander to start making command decision that favor the good of the people in the surrounding communities.
To Laura wrote on Oct 9, 2008 6:35 AM:This is about a FIRE and PEOPLES lives not your political agenda.
Get a clue- VOTE Republican.
We are not socialist like Obama. I like having my money and not giving it all to the government. Socialists want you to give the government most of your money.
Try reading up on Global warning, the scientist are saying the earh is cooler now. Educate yourself before you make a fool of yourself.
Smokey here wrote on Oct 9, 2008 6:53 AM:Good morning it smells like smoke near the front gate off the I-5 and the light breeze is definately blowing the smoke north and west at 7 am. Hope the planes start up again.
Jim wrote on Oct 9, 2008 7:15 AM:At the top of the story are three pictures. Can anyone identify the location of the bike trail that's shown?
Thanks.
To Laura wrote on Oct 9, 2008 7:26 AM:Hey laura whats up with the vote Obama campaing in your comment? this is about the safety of the residents in that area, I wonder if Obama, McCain or any other candidate is going to come down to Camp Pendlenton and help the firefighters to put out the flames.. again your comment does not go with this story.
Cat wrote on Oct 9, 2008 7:31 AM:Morning all! There is something on the internet saying that the fire is 70% contained; is this true? But it was like an article from yesterday *am confused* And then there's two different times the fire started, 12:30 and 3:30. Can someone please just get all the RIGHT information in just ONE place??!!!!
Smokey here update wrote on Oct 9, 2008 7:32 AM:Light breeze is now blowin on shore smoke moving east. Plenty light and no planes coming in off ocean yet.
Hey Laura wrote on Oct 9, 2008 7:37 AM:Come on, Laura, this firw isn't political, it's religous. God is punishing us for allowing same sex marriage :)
Common Sense wrote on Oct 9, 2008 7:46 AM:It seems to me that whenever we have "high pressure, dry winds, santa ana conditions" there is a fire in Camp Pendleton. The troops certainly need to train, bombs need to be dropped, etc. but couldn't the explosives be suspended for the days of high fire condition? Putting out the fires is costly, civilian fire personnel are put in harms way, and the ashes and smoke are a negative. And isn't the big plume of smoke a sign to a would be arsonist that conditions are right if he wanted to do his thing? If SDG&E is going to suspend power transmission during high fire times maybe Camp Pendleton could get on board.
At Work wrote on Oct 9, 2008 8:13 AM:For those who are close "can see the fire" updates here would be GREATLY apreciated.. I am at work in Carlsbad, My home is about 2 miles away from the fire "south/east" Thank you for your time!
chickenlittle wrote on Oct 9, 2008 8:27 AM:The bike trail appears to be the one by the San Luis Rey river.
A lot of people have been really jumpy this year because of last years fires. I don't think there is any immediate need for packing but everyone should already have a plan of action in place for any disaster. The smoke should be the main concern now for those who have repiratory or other problems.
For unreal, I doubt that the people who were out investigating and enjoying that spectacular view were hindering any firefighting people. Vons parking lot was a very popular spot for viewing.
Sometimes fires are a necessary evil, it's just a shame when houses are in the way.
Nick wrote on Oct 9, 2008 8:48 AM:Is Legoland smokey? We promised the kids to drive down there from Orange County today Thursday. We can feel the smoke up here in Irvine. Thanks for any local updates from Carlsbad - Legoland!
Mark D wrote on Oct 9, 2008 9:51 AM:I'm from michigan we are Probably one of the biggest tree hugging states you could visit but we still conduct "controled burns" just in case something does catch on fire,its easier to keep contained
Mark D wrote on Oct 9, 2008 9:54 AM:legoland im sure is safe i live 5 miles from the base an i think the smoke is being blown in land
Ashlee wrote on Oct 9, 2008 11:25 AM:I live in Indiana, but my fiance is at Camp Pendleton training. I can't talk to him right now. And none of the news sites or channels say if anyone was injured??
Jeez wrote on Oct 9, 2008 11:47 AM:The Marines do stop training with live ammo during Fire hazard's. You see what happens is Camp Pendleton catches fire LIKE EVERYWHERE ELSE DOES! I mean seriously here lets stop blaming each other and help our fellow man. I am not asking if you agree with me or not. I am stating a fact here now stop with the whole it's there fault the base is burning thing. They don't blame us and sit back watching when our house is about to burn down.
Update wrote on Oct 9, 2008 1:13 PM:I can see the fire! It is getting SOOOOOO bad! I heard it's REALLY spreading!
Fire update wrote on Oct 9, 2008 1:15 PM:I live in Sacramento; is it coming my way?
Signed, another ignorant local
Laura is right wrote on Oct 9, 2008 1:54 PM:She is right on the money, don't be foolish and think otherwise.
Just a side note... wrote on Oct 9, 2008 2:07 PM:My relatives live on Camp Pendleton off of Basilone Rd. and do not get coverage of C.P. fires because they are considered Orange County. I watched the news for them last night before retiring at 10pm. Woke up around 2am to make sure that it hadn't gotten worse. They also have key people that call them and help each other keep the neigborhood aware of the fire. It would be extremely helpful If folks used this website to send important info. out to those that have no television coverage. Last year when they had to evacuate we couldn't find any up to date info. on the computer. Thank You to the Firefighters whom got this under control!!!If in doubt get the heck out.
Update r u serious wrote on Oct 9, 2008 2:15 PM:Update is it really spreading I have heard nothing of the fire and it was calm
Jen wrote on Oct 9, 2008 2:56 PM:Re: "I can see the fire! It is getting SOOOOOO bad! I heard it's REALLY spreading!"
Which way is it spreading? I could see the flames from my backyard off of Douglas near the golf course last night. It was pretty scary.
YES its spreading wrote on Oct 9, 2008 3:01 PM:I'm TOTALLY serious! It is horrible; I HIGHLY suggest you flee your home NOW!
Reardon wrote on Oct 9, 2008 10:10 PM:The real problem is the firefighters and their union. Time after time they fail at fighting these fires. Get rid of the union and solve the wildfire problem. Put water on it dummies.
marine MOM wrote on Oct 10, 2008 6:15 AM:I can't believe some of the postings I have read here. ONLOOKER wrote"nice to know it's just Pendleton" It's nice to know that the Maries that are defending your freedom have their base burning????? To John who said can't the marines suspend training and it's a no brainier. Have you even stepped foot on Camp Pendleton? These Marines are there giving up their lives to defend you like my son! You should be offering to help them in any way you could to thank them for what they are doing for you.This is their homes,did you say the same thing when the fires were up north burning other homes?
TheGunny wrote on Oct 10, 2008 11:45 AM:Gee Reardon, I was waiting for someone to make a ignorant statement like that. You are sooooo right the IAFF union aboard MCB Pendleton has been planning this for years. Jack___. Beings your experiance in Deer Springs leads you to be the wildfire expert on the installation, tell me oh enlightened one what ordinance was in close proximity to the start? Was any UXO's in the path of this fire?
Reardon, don't fire off rounds unless you get educated prior.
Calm down wrote on Oct 10, 2008 4:43 PM:Its all ok! the fire is probably controlled by now! its all fine!
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