Skinny wrote on Oct 13, 2008 4:56 PM:Just saw both super scoopers go over head again.

It took them less than 5 minutes to go out over the ocean and scoop up the water until I saw them back over I-5 headed back to the fire.

Those things are REALLy great.

Don't have to go and land - fixed wing aircraft - or hover over a body of water to suck up the water.

They hold 1,600 gallons at a time

sdsurfer wrote on Oct 13, 2008 5:20 PM:this is looking like last year..hopefully it does not turn out that way. i Pray for the firemen to put the pendelton fires out

Semper Fry wrote on Oct 13, 2008 5:23 PM:Before you rage against the Base Commander (as some will undoubtedly), remember that he/she must balance the readiness of the Marines against the needs of the community. Don't jump to the conclusion that anyone was training with live rounds just yet! If the Marines could only use live ammo when there was little threat of a fire, the US Marines would be very good at firing in the rain! And Oh No! Those danged "union" (and believe it or not, non-union) firefighters amassed on both sides of the fence to battle the flames. I don't know about you, but I'm proud to have BOTH trained firefighters and trained Marines!

Hopeful wrote on Oct 13, 2008 5:41 PM:Not that I'm saying that no one should worry or not be concerned, but I'm reading on several different news sites that this particular fire is at about 100 acres right now. However, the one last week was 1600 acres & they knocked that down fast. It also seems the winds have died down, so hopefully within the next couple hours they'll have a handle on it & everyone can go back home.

tanya wrote on Oct 13, 2008 5:54 PM:Any updates? Have they evacuated Village Dr on the golf course yet?

Has it reached any structures yet?

Marine Brat wrote on Oct 13, 2008 6:00 PM:I don't think there was much training going on today as it was a Columbus Day holiday...so no need to bash the Command...keep the firefighters and evacuees in your thoughts and prayers.

Marine Brat wrote on Oct 13, 2008 6:02 PM:I don't think there was much training going on today as it was a Columbus Day holiday...so no need to bash the Command...keep the fire fighters and evacuees in your thoughts and prayers.

Kitty wrote on Oct 13, 2008 6:04 PM:This is the SECOND fire on Camp Pendleton in a THREE day period, both of which were started by ordinance on the 'Mike Turf' range. If you can't control the range in FIRE SEASON, then do not USE the range. Our families shouldn't have to flee from Camp Pendleton every time you send a group to train. Marines often set the ranges on fire ON PURPOSE to get out of training the rest of the day. This is completely unacceptable! You are endangering lives and homes!

K wrote on Oct 13, 2008 6:09 PM:WELL SAID SEMPER FRY!!! :)

Thanks for sticking up for guys in uniform when so many others are so eager to cut them down....

Expat wrote on Oct 13, 2008 6:09 PM:My home is on Manteca, I'm in Korea, if anyone hears anything about proximity, please post!

Thanks

valley wrote on Oct 13, 2008 6:11 PM:Thanks Kitty, glad someone's willing to stand up to the jingoism of previous comments

Tanya wrote on Oct 13, 2008 6:20 PM:I dont care about this political stuff. Our TWO homes in the area are being evacuated and threatened by this fire. My mom refuses to leave her house and I am worried. Furthermore, when she was at Trader Joe's some idiot said it was Arab Terrorists who started a fire on a military base!!?? How in the heck would they get there in the first place? We need to stop being reactive and stop this racist rhetoric. I am an Arab American, I am at work in Sorrento Valley and I own TWO homes in the development. This kind of racism makes me sick.

Manteca Street wrote on Oct 13, 2008 6:32 PM:Has not been avacueted at this moment.

Expat wrote on Oct 13, 2008 6:42 PM:Thank you for the update. Hope all is well for you and yours.

Pray for heavy rains wrote on Oct 13, 2008 6:46 PM:WE must lift our heads in prayer for moderate to heavy rains to soak California and douse the fires.

scary wrote on Oct 13, 2008 6:47 PM:i live on the top of robinwood right by guajome park.....you can see flames all along the hills now its getting pretty scary. also the planes have to stop flying once it gets dark so its up to our firfighters to get it contained during the night. im just nervous because it has now hit the checkpoint of the back gate, the actual enterance and if it moves anymore south into oceanside its all homes and it can only get worse.

to Expat wrote on Oct 13, 2008 6:48 PM:if you check the mapquest website and have the street names that are being evacuated, you can look them up and see where they are in relation to Manteca Dr. Hope all is well for you in Korea and for your home in Oceanside!

KC wrote on Oct 13, 2008 6:49 PM:Does anyone know if any houses have been lost in San Luis Rey area on base? My sister and family live there.

join in prayer wrote on Oct 13, 2008 6:49 PM:Oh heavenly Father we ask you fior rainfall to soak the California brush and douse the wildfires. Send your rain to save people's homes. In your Son's name Amen.

check this site also wrote on Oct 13, 2008 6:50 PM:Is it OK to post other websites on NCTimes.com? hmmm...if not, sorry... NBC san diego has updated info

marine wife wrote on Oct 13, 2008 6:57 PM:i lived in the housing area that was evacuated and from what we hear we lost everything even with all the efforts to keep our homes safe

Toni Ann wrote on Oct 13, 2008 6:57 PM:I agree with Kitty - why do the Marines continue to with their risky practices during a Santa Ana winds situation? They are unable to practice now - so they could have sat out the few days of high fire risk and then continued with their practices, without endangering the lives of firefighters and the risk of loss of homes and lives of civilians. Don't get me wrong - I appreciate the Marines (and all of our brave men and women in the armed forces that risk their lives for us every single day! God Bless you!) - but I certainly would like to see a "time-out" during high fire risk days.

Semper Fi Wifey wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:01 PM:Thanks Kitty For speaking up about our young marines on the range. They seriously need to get them either under control or just keep them off the dam range so our famlies dont have to go through this nightmare over and over again.

grow up wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:05 PM:Maybe kitties husband and friends would do something dumb as to set fires to get out of work. Most of us want to train and protect our families.

A thought wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:05 PM:Everybody, get your families, paint your faces, put feathers in your hair, and take of your shirts. Then run outside and start doing a rain dance, it is our only option

Dude wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:12 PM:I got evacuated from the Serra Mesa housing district and the fire over there was bad!!! Smoke was covering the houses so I dont know if any houses caught fire.

Curious wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:12 PM:Kitty,
Where do you get your information on where and how the fire started? Haven't seen the info you posted anywhere, or talked about anywhere else. Would like to have your source of insider info!!! Please do share so we can all have this info. (and please don't say it was so n so who works at so n so... we had enough rumor and speculation about last years fires to last a life time.) Would like to have the bonafide, official source you are using for info to make sure you are not just another rumormonger spreading disinformation like we dealt with last year.

chris wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:13 PM:its is columbus day there are no marines training. so it would behoove you not to insult the people that protect this country.

TM wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:16 PM:Ok how about you not pick at the military just because you dont like them or you all of the sudden have probable cause. Marines are to be trained 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Thats what makes us a Marine. Just because it is fire season doesnt mean we should stop training. Does that mean we are supposed to go to iraq and not shoot because theres a little dry grass. *%&$* no. Not every fire is started on Campen, so just because it has, doesnt give you the right to start picking at the military.

melissa wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:17 PM:is Douglas dr. and Via Los Padres evacuated?

Mike wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:22 PM:When I drove home from work there was fire along the ridgeline behind Sleeping Indian in Fallbrook. There were engines on call, but it was a pretty long line of fire. The story above reported that there was not a fire. Sleeping Indian was closed to traffic. From our house in Morro Hills area we cannot see flames, but see a large ominous glow.

JC wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:27 PM:im in Iraq and my wife and children live in Wire mountain 2, is she in any danger at this point?

MARINE wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:33 PM:To insinuate that Marines are intentially setting fires to a range is obsurd. When fires are started on ranges, range control is notified immediately of the fire. If you are aware of Marines intentionally creating fires then you must in great company. You then are as quilty as they are. Today is a holiday so there is minimal training aboard the base. Please be respectful of the people evacuated.I too have been in this predicament and my heart goes out to all the families that are affected by this. I agree we need both trained Firefighters and Marines. In times of need the people who stand out are the ones who help and not critize and blame. Its obvious here who is stand out and who is not. GODSPEED !

SemperFiForever wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:34 PM:Kitty,
If you don't like the inconvenience of having to leave the area if a fire breaks out on a military base that has been there since long before you were born, why don't you move?

SleepingIndian wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:43 PM:Any updates on the base fire near Sleeping Indian/Tumbleweed Drive?

Arrowood wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:44 PM:Manteca is okay....Douglas Crossing on the side of Lucieno Park was not evacuated. It was the homes on the opposite side of Douglas (Sycamore Springs) that were evacuated in the Arrowood Community. Rest assured Expat, your home is safe...I love on Eliot. :)

Better Information wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:49 PM:Stop the comments. Why. It is a free country and seemingly you all are not getting the info that you need. Sounds like this is not going in an organized way with info about roads open, roads close, evacuation info, etc.

Now that it is dark, it is more difficult for all.

Questions should be answered with info to help you from the TV radio OES (Office of Emergency Services) Newspapers Sheriff and Police.

Do you have a Fire Safe Council?

Plan ahead. If you don't have a Fire Safe Council, you must start one immediately.

If this fire (fires?) started accidentally or not, someone should take the heat unless you all feel that Marines come first and civilians do not count.

Civilians are taxed to keep the Marines and other service men/women in uniform.

Marines need to be cautious when Cal Fire & NOAA's National Weather Service Report Red Flag Fire warnings. URL www.nws.noaa.gov/

Marines need to protect residents at home.

I do not know what really happened, but it keeps sounding like a mini disaster that perhaps could have been avoided with better cooperation and better information.

Coordination-- plan ahead to work with and help your Fire Safe Council, which indeed should help your Fire Stations, etc.

The public needs to be educated.
The public needs to participate in
taking responsibility, i.e., be ready for an evacuation and much more.

And the County needs to help by working with the Marines, CalFire, OES, Sheriff,
Police, stakeholders (homeowners), to make the County safer.

QUOTE NCTIMES: "San Diego County has been under a red flag fire warning since 6 a.m. this morning [Monday 13Oct2008] because of the hot weather and Santa Ana wind conditions."

Hey JC wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:50 PM:I just wanted to tell you your wife and children are in my prayers tonight. I so hope you get to hear from them soon. While in Irag this is not something you need to hear about... As for the military men being at fault get a clue. These men and woman train to protect YOU and Yours. They have to work just like you have to work. Does it suck this happened YES!!! am I being effected YES but I still stand by those fighting for our freedom!

Barney wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:56 PM:Spontaneous combustion does not occur, even in a Santa Ana. How come Pendelton ignites, ignites so frequently in these uninhabited areas? Most of our Santa Ana Fires are man made, barring freak lighting or something else unlikely. Whatever the military is doing, in these largely un-populated areas, they need to address the reasons for these frequent occurrences. Please do not give me the "keeping us safe from terrorists diatribel. If you wanted us safe you would drive slower on the 76.

Dawn wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:57 PM:JC,

We are in WM III and no your wife and children are in no danger as of now.

Hope a little piece of mind helps.

Thank you for all you do!!!

tom wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:57 PM:I wisned the fire people could have spralyed the chapparl with fire rresistent chemicals to prevent this costly fire.

Maggie wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:57 PM:JC no wire mountain 2 is not at risk right now. I live in Stuart Mesa, they have told us to be prepared in case of an evacuation but the fire is on Mainside right now.

Thanks Arrowood.. wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:57 PM:We're neighbors!

Watch your tongue wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:58 PM:Hey JC right now everything is good for wire mountain 2 but i will keep you up dated. As for the comments made by assumptive individuals on to the aspect of the fire, wait for the news to do their job and report on what the investigation states, not by what you assume. i am a marine and have been at pendleton for the last four years and the training we do is to prepare us for war. We do not start fire for fun, but know that some of the training we do can and if you remember from last year marines are the ones who did a lot of the work to put them out.

nanchi wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:59 PM:Wire Mountain II is safe. Thanks for your service, and know that the MCB will take care of your wife. The threatened areas have been evacuated - Serra Mesa and San Luis Rey.

Maggie wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:02 PM:For those of you who love to blame the marines for everything that goes wrong around here, why don't you just leave the US, because it is the blood of the Marines and the other branches of the military that have provided and insured the freedoms that you enjoy. And for your information there were no range exercise today and beside that the area that the fire started was behind a housing area not on a range. There are no ranges on the east side of Vandergrift by the San Luis Rey gate.

Watchit wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:03 PM:Hey JC right now everything is good for wire mountain 2 but i will keep you up dated. As for the comments made by assumptive individuals on to the aspect of the fire, wait for the news to do their job and report on what the investigation states, not by what you assume. i am a marine and have been at pendleton for the last four years and the training we do is to prepare us for war. We do not start fire for fun, but know that some of the training we do can and if you remember from last year marines are the ones who did a lot of the work to put them out.

Nanchi wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:04 PM:No structures have been lost - the firebreaks (and firemen) are keeping the fire away from homes. Good work guys!!!

LOVE wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:04 PM:I JUST TALKED TO MY MOTHER WHO LIVES IN WIRE MOUNTAIN 2.....THEY HAVE NOT BEEN EVACUATED YET....BUT THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD TO BE READY TO MOVE AT A MOMENTS NOTICE....SHE SAID ITS MOSTLY TOWARDS THE BACK GATE....WILL TRY AND KEEP YOU UPDATED....I KNOW YOUR FAMILY IS SAFE AND PRAY THEY CONTINUE TO BE SAFE...THANK YOU FOR SACRIFICING YOUR TIME AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILY TO FIGHT FOR MINE.....GOD BLESS

Catie wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:12 PM:Anyone know if there were any structure fires from last week or this week in Serra Mesa? Any info would be greatly appreciated. My little brother deployed to Iraq a week ago yesterday and his new wife came home to visit family for a while and has been getting numerous phone calls that her house has burned down in Serra Mesa (on base). We're not sure how note worthy these people are so info would be a huge relief to her! Thank you and be safe!

JC wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:20 PM:thank you to all keeping updates. I know she is worried and being here makes it feel helpless but I trust in my brothers to do the right thing.

Alex wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:21 PM:Hey guys, i live on Leon street and it's really close to the places that are being evacuated. i haven't gotten a phone call but i don't want to burn down while I'm sleping. if someone could tell me how contained it is and if it will travel closer to me that is appreciated. hey i go to El Camino high school, do we have to go to school tomorrow?

S.M. wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:21 PM:Melissa, Douglas and Via los Padres is fine. I live in that neighborhood, the fire is a few miles from us.

Ryan wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:27 PM:Does anyone know how to find out if the Arrowood evacuation has been lifted? Also, have any schools been closed tomorrow?

Lindsey wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:27 PM:I live in Serra Messa someone told me they evacuated? Can anyone tell me if its alright there..Im in Texas and needing to know if I need to come back? Please help me out

fallbrook wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:35 PM:does anyone have updates on the fire on this side. they say tumbleweed but it looks a lot closer than that. we dealt with this a year ago not getting enough info till after the fact so why are we being left in the dark once again

jj wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:35 PM:to kitty who are you to decide when marines train and how we train you ever followed how much a battalion trains before the pump out we dont get much training becuase let me see the ranges we use are always used for something else so when we finally do we use the crap out of it and as for us using live rounds come on lady u ever fired blanks at a pop up target and rushed a 1000 meters when we use live rounds we dont play ok there aint no one starting fires cuase they want to get out of training maybe your husband who probaly does nothing for a living does stuff like that but not the prople who work on this base so stop getting all butt hurt for nothing you stay on a base guess what stuff like this happens you dont like it move off base and deal with those fires stop blamiing marines and praying that this stuff goes down smooth

jenn wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:36 PM:No lift's yet and far from it...so far school tomorrow, check the web for closing.

praying wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:38 PM:may the Lord Jesus bring rain to douse the fires and soak the bruash so new fies aren't started. We ask you Lord to bring rain from flooded Florida to parxhed California.

Barney wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:43 PM:I think asking why these fires are occureing with relevant frequency is a legitiamate queation, and not a negative statement against the armed forces, in this case the Marines. I am retired military, so I do not denounce what the mission is or what our men and women in uniform are doing for our country. What I do question, is what preventions the Marine Base are taking regarding fire season. Sure our boys and girls in uniform help tp put out the blazes that occur on and near base, and kudos to them for sure. My question is, what is happening at a command level to cause such frequent blazes? When our men and women in military uniform are fighting fires who pays for that time? Would that be better spent training? Why do fires erupt in areas that are uninhabited? Please do not throw this legitimate question into the pile of liberal uninformed questions. These are real issues that real Americans and real CALIFORNIANS should be asking.

Maggie wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:44 PM:Lindsey, I know the last I saw of live footage that the fire was starting to burn the trees on the outskirts of Seirra Mesa housing but I do not know if there has been any structural damage yet.

JC, My hubby is in Iraq right now too, so he is in the same boat as you with worrying but not being able to do anything. I will post on here if wire mnt.2 is evacuated so that you will know. God Bless and take care.

longtime Osider wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:45 PM:Whatever the cause it seems like every year during high fire days Pendleton ranges catch fire multiple times. In recent years the border check has almost burned a few times. I don't profess to know the reason just noting the pattern that I have observed for about 30 years!

Wondering wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:46 PM:Could you guys tell me if it's near San Diego St, there by Mission and Oceanside blvd? I have to deliver there tomorrow and wanted to knwo if the fires were near there, if there were any evacuations. Thanks

John wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:51 PM:Don't let the Internet Trolls who can hide behind the computer screen and take pot shots at the Marines cause an uproar. Ignore her, and she'll go away.

Latest article states that live fire wasn't going on there, and doesn't happen ever where the fire broke out. So don't worry about it.

The structures are the most important things to those guys, and they will do everything they can to make sure the houses don't go up.

ParkerRes wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:54 PM:Does anyone know if I can go back home yet? 2 of my teens are at the house and so are our pets. They told me I could not go home (OPD), but I was just wondering if anyone heard differently yet? I am leaving work in 10 minutes and need to know where to go.

Neal wrote on Oct 13, 2008 9:18 PM:How about the housing near Mary Kay Pendleton School is the fire moving toward that area. My daughters family lives near there. I'm in South Carolina

LUV4MARINES wrote on Oct 13, 2008 9:19 PM:I'm in No. Cali and can't find updated info. and I cannot get in contact with my friend. She lives on Capistrano Dr. Any info about that area would be MUCH appreciated.

Barney wrote on Oct 13, 2008 9:22 PM:I will reitterate. Spontaneous combustion does not occur. How are these frequent fires on the Pendelton base being ignited? This is a legitimate question.I don't care where the "live fire" is supposed to be occurring. There is a reason for the ignition of these fires. As a resident in the area I would like to here an explanation. I think this has immediate relevance to the safety of my children, since we live in the area? Real Americans ask questions, like our forefathers. Real Californians care about their state, and don't confuse that with false patriotism.I have a legitimate question, and feel it deserves a legitimate answer, not half baked rhetoric about the impending boogeymen. and how you are working to save me and my family.

chickenlittle wrote on Oct 13, 2008 9:24 PM:No, it's not near San Diego street.

IDK wrote on Oct 13, 2008 9:24 PM:please some one tell me where the fire is cause i live in fallbrook and idk how my friends are and like whos evactuateing and there like nothing on the news about fallbrook people really need o say more about fallbrook and wat they need to do like my moms been on the fone and my dads haveing sugry tomorrow and my moms going with him so if we get evatuated at school idk wat im going 2 do cause of woth all of my animals and my dads haveing surgry down by tori pines so like its not like my mom can come right home , people just anyone that can keep me posted where the fire is and whos evactuateing so i can no wat to do thanz and im only 12 so help please

David wrote on Oct 13, 2008 9:25 PM:If you visit Camp Pendleton's website (http://www.pendleton.usmc.mil/), they also have updates. As of 7:30 PM, they report no structures damaged.

Audrey wrote on Oct 13, 2008 9:36 PM:I agree with Barney, people are not bashing the Marines, we are Thankful for what they are doing for us, however during the time of a red flag alert, all training in uninhabited places, escpecially the areas that can go up in flames in a quick moment should be haulted. I am sure there is other training that is just as important that could be done in its place. God bless all of us.

Maggie wrote on Oct 13, 2008 9:38 PM:Hey Neal, The housing area you are talking about is De Luz and it has not been evacuated. The fires are about 5 miles from there and are not moving in that direction. Hope this gives you a little piece of mind.

maggie wrote on Oct 13, 2008 9:46 PM:Hey Barney, If you want to know what the base is doing to prevent fires, go ask the EPA what they let us do here on base. Camp Pendleton is a nature preserve and they give our boys here on base all kinds of hell just for clearing the fire breaks that we do. The EPA won't let the base clear out any undergrowth or brush because it might hurt some unheard of species. I live on base and we can't even get the EPA to let the base clear a fire break around the housing areas. So if everyone is looking for someone to blame for the lack of fire prevention why don't you call out the EPA and leave us here on CP alone.

a Fallbrook resident wrote on Oct 13, 2008 9:49 PM:NBC San Diego continues to scroll across screen that North County Fire has issued new evacuation orders for Sleeping Indian, Wilshire, Hidden Valley and Camino Baja Cerro roads in the Fallbrook and Bonsall areas.

oside dave wrote on Oct 13, 2008 9:55 PM:From my vantage point in East Oceanside, near 76, it looks like Morro Hill is on fire.
I believe Morro Hill is right on the boundary between Camp Pendleton, City of Oceanside, and county/Fallbrook. Thomas Guide 1047 D7.

Bonsall wrote on Oct 13, 2008 10:18 PM:10 News is reporting evacuations in Fallbrook on conejo, Caroline Lane and Wilshire (they are off of Sleeping Indian ) Bonsall West Elementary is closed tomorrow according to the Bonsall District website. I don't know about the other schools.

Chloe wrote on Oct 13, 2008 10:21 PM:does anyone know anything about the serra mesa housing? I heard tamayo ct was burnt. Does anyone know if this is true? I have been out of town all day and have heard so many different things.

Fallbrook Res wrote on Oct 13, 2008 10:23 PM:is the fire coming into Fallbrook?

b3ar wrote on Oct 13, 2008 10:53 PM:Updates per Camp Pendleton:

http://www.pendleton.usmc.mil/fire08.asp

Noel wrote on Oct 13, 2008 10:57 PM:Reports from marines on base is that Serra Mesa housing is either partially burned or gone. News shows a third(?) fire over the gate, a street up from Vandergrift.

Sam wrote on Oct 13, 2008 10:57 PM:Pendleton is well over a million acres ready to burn. It’s the only big chunk of unincorporated land in the coastal area, so it’s quite likely (statistically) that if a fire starts – and it is fire _season_ – it’s going to be at Pendleton. That’s not the Marines' mismanagement or negligence (or the EPA) – that’s the byproduct of having a lot of scrub brush sitting around.

The Marines have a very strong interest in not burning down one of their most important training facilities. Further, reckless behavior that might kill other Marines is not perceived as acceptable internally. To think or say that Marines are doing this intentionally is misguided.

You can’t universally prevent fires, particularly here. You can work to prevent them, and you can be ready to contain them. The Marines at Pendleton are excellent at doing both. The purpose of the Marines’ training is to make them _exceedingly_ good at dealing with emergent disasters. And from what we’ve heard so far, it sounds like they’re doing just that.

But you can always do it better, right? This fire just cost the Marines a bundle. You can bet they’re already talking long and hard about what they did right and what they could have done better. And next time (and there _will_ be a next time), they’ll be even more prepared and more responsive.

And the county as a whole will benefit from that.

Leslie wrote on Oct 13, 2008 10:59 PM:My son and his friends were evacuated today from serra mesa and no one will tell them if they have a home to go to or any of their belongings and I need help as the fellow marines and their families need to have answers

Curious wrote on Oct 13, 2008 11:12 PM:Barney:
Spontaneous combustion doesn't occur? Since when? According to all the encyclopedias I read online it still does, with the chief culprits being stacks of hay, oily rags, green hay, leaves, coal, pistachio nuts, etc. There is no external heat source, combustion is caused by such things as bacterial fermentation, or oxidation, even friction. The material heats up and then combusts when it reaches the right temperature. So in my book, that is still a possible cause.
When I was a younger, we had a fire near our home caused by sunlight and broken glass. (another possible cause?)
Isn't there the possibility that some immigrant could have decided to make a home in the fields back there and caused it.
Maybe someone threw a cigarette out the window of their car?
Kids playing with matches (I read at one point it started near a housing area)
The point is, there are a myriad of possible causes other than live firing, especially as it has been clearly stated that the location of the fire is not a firing range, live or otherwise, and that there were no live firing exercises today on Pendleton. (it is a federal holiday)
And yes, I agree the base frequently has fires, some caused by live firing, and it gets them out.
I am trying to remember a fire started by live firing on Camp Pendleton that caused a civilian to lose a home in the last 15 or 20 years? I cannot remember such an incident, does anyone else remember one???

Skinny wrote on Oct 13, 2008 11:13 PM:For Deployed Marines - from Camp Pendleton's web site:

Information current as of 10:30 p.m.
A brush fire that started in Camp Pendleton Juiliet Training Area has forced the evacuation for the Serra Mesa and San Luis Rey Housing Areas.
The San Luis Rey Gate is currently closed, as is the section of Vandergrift Blvd. between the San Luis Rey Gate and Rattlesnake Canyon Rd.
Camp Pendleton residents displaced from their homes should report to the Stuart Mesa Lincoln Military Housing Office, Building 310001 in Camp Pendleton’s 31 Area. The Paige Field House, in the 11 Area, is serving as initial collection point only.
Stuart Mesa Housing is accepting displaced residents, and an American Red Cross site has been established there, and is distributing food, water, and basic toiletries. The exchanges in Stuart Mesa and Del Mar are also extending their hours until 10 p.m.
The fire is currently being fought under a joint command of Camp Pendleton Fire and Oceanside Fire Department.
The Juliet fire has burned about 1200 acres on Camp Pendleton, and is being fought with resources from multiple agencies.
To date, Camp Pendleton has not suffered any casualties, and no structures have been destroyed.
Back-burning operations are currently underway to attempt to tie this fire into the burn area of last week's November fire.
Camp Pendleton personnel looking for information on their work schedules for Tuesday should refer to the Base Web site, at www.pendleton.usmc.mil, or the Base Information Hotline at (760) 725-9045, for information.
Please periodically refer back to the Information Hotline, at (760) 725-9045, for updates, or visit the Camp Pendleton Web site, at www.cpp.usmc.mil. Both resources will be updated as frequently as new information becomes available.

Curious wrote on Oct 13, 2008 11:19 PM:Sam:
Excellent post!!

SleepingIndian wrote on Oct 13, 2008 11:26 PM:Here's an update from the San Diego Co. Emergency Homepage website...
The neighborhoods being evacuated are on Thomas Brothers Guide map page 1067, D-1, D-2, E-1, E-2 and page 1047, E-6, E-7, and D-7.
From our view around Sleeping Indian and Burma, the "head" of Sleeping Indian is burnt on the Camp Pen side and now moving around the mountain, towards the east side (about 1/3 the way around now). We can now also see a blaze on the south side of the mountain, opposite to the original view.

jeremy wrote on Oct 14, 2008 12:28 AM:i live on andreasen dr, the last fire truck just pulled away from my side of the street near the turnabout.

you can still see fire about 700 yards away blazing on the round hill "sleeping indian" i think it is.

Heather wrote on Oct 14, 2008 12:34 AM:This is Heather Gallaher mentioned in the above article - I simply wanted to correct the quote written that 'stray horses were running down the middle of the road' - this was not the case, many people were leading horses up the road on foot - but none were running wild at the time. All barn employees, boarders, and wonderful volunteers did the best they could with the time we had, and deeply appreciate all of the concerned folks and other horsepeople that came to our aid, again. We're keeping high hopes for the horses that we were forced to leave.

worried wrote on Oct 14, 2008 1:02 AM:Hi Jeremy - I dont see Andreasen Dr on any map - where is that? Thanks

CampPenPOlice wrote on Oct 14, 2008 1:17 AM:To J.C the front gate housing areas are fine at this point be safe over there Devil Dogg

Safety First wrote on Oct 14, 2008 1:40 AM:I thought the military is supposed to protect us?
Why is it that every year they start wild fires on their base causing wide spread damage and threatening the safety of residents?

nw wrote on Oct 14, 2008 2:15 AM:what about the area around the naval hospital. My wife is there right now. O'neill Heights.

kassie wrote on Oct 14, 2008 2:25 AM:this is what i believe.

i believe that today was columbus day and if any of you know any marines most of them had today off. this whole weekend infact. there was no one training and if you had listend to the news you would of heard that. has anyone thought of the fact that camp pendleton is not just a whole bunch of buildings but a lot of brush. all it takes is a piece of glass sitting in some brush with the sun shining through and it will cause a fire. i know there are some of you that burnt ants like that as a kid with a magnifine glass.

oh and another thing if you have problem with wildfires move to seattle, you know better. you all know even if you have been here for three years, every september and october are the worst times to be southern californian. accept it

and to you kitty...you are the kinda person that is making everyone else freak out. were you get your information is unclear to me. but the thing is before you spit out information follow it up and make sure your facts are straight.


and guess what i grew up in san marcos in cornado hills. wich by the way is coverd in brush. almost every year of my life there was a fire on that hill. oh and guess what there were no marines doing any training on cornado hills.


heres the deal fires start just like tornados and hurricanes...its nature get over it and deal with it.

Expat wrote on Oct 14, 2008 4:17 AM:Safety first, I will defend your right to make an ... out of yourself, and hope you and yours find yourselves safe even though you are obviously a ...

To the rest of my neighbors, God speed and good luck...you will be in my prayers, even those like Safety First, in this time of need!

Sleeping but Awake wrote on Oct 14, 2008 6:25 AM:To the marinbes who want people who are uposet about the fire to leave the country - give us a break, you are a marine and part of your mission definetly does not include deciding who is worthy of living by your base.

And, where are the adults on the base, the officers in command. Two fires in two weeks starting on the base is two too many in fire season. Find out how this is happening, fix the problem, punish the people who did worng. I am afraid that someone is starting the fires on purpose. Perhpas some dumb kid who is missing his Dad who is deployed overseas. Or, some stressed out marine who needs help from being overdeployed into a war zone. Or, someone on base who has a bone to pick. Or, someone who is sneaking onto base which is very, very easy to do.

Figure this out now and get this under control marines as your job is to act responsibly within the community.

Worried Mom wrote on Oct 14, 2008 6:29 AM:Hello Saftey First, as a Safety Manager on the road with a construction company for natural gas lines, let me point out a couple of things to you. The Marines on that base put their lives on the line every day for your "freedom". As a former Marine I must say that the complete amount of uninformed people still amaze me. They/we trained under all possible safe conditions. California has had wildfires every year since I was a child. Don't talk about something you can't even begin to imagine. My children live with their dad in the housing there. I am in Pennsylvania working, so when I see some idiotic post like you just posted, it really disgusts me.

Jim wrote on Oct 14, 2008 6:42 AM:To Safety First, who is just plain ingnorant.....

We, The Marines did not start the fire with our "training" as you call it. 95% of the marines were not even at work when the fire started, we have not been doing "Live" weapons training for some time now because of the Red Flag warnings. Beleive it or not, we do utilize the warnings and you can say what you want because you have the freedom to do just that. I am going to don my uniform and protect your right to mouth off to whatever you want to say today.

Instead of blame we should pray wrote on Oct 14, 2008 7:13 AM:Pray to the Lord for rainfall to come abnd pray for safety for the firefighters and residents.

J wrote on Oct 14, 2008 7:30 AM:keeping all of you in prayer.. this has happen every year the santa ana's.. do not why everybody is surprise, lived in calif all my life, before I moved.. just keep the radio on or tv, do not panic.. get things ready in case you have to leave... God speed....

Nicole wrote on Oct 14, 2008 8:06 AM:Good breaking story Daddy!!! I aced my paper because of my amazing writing skills inherited from you!!! xoxoxox

Regan wrote on Oct 14, 2008 8:15 AM:To imply that Oceanside residents who ask questions as to why these fires get started with regularity on Camp Pendleton are Anti-Marine is ridiculous! Why should we not ask these questions? Not only does fighting these fires cost the marines money, it also uses Oceanside and CalFire resources...we all pay for it...and besides, when the marines pay for it so do we all also pay for it. So financially we all have a stake in this. Not only that, it's just plain frightening and in most people's fear, there are questions. don't start bashing people who just want to know "why?". whether or not the marines are using "live fire" or whatever you call it, I hear the firing all the time. You must use incindiary devices to shoot that stuff whether it's "live" or not. That creates a fire possibillity. I understand that no traing was supposed to be taking place on Monday but clearly something startted the fire. People just want to know. Doesn't make the ignorant, stupid or anti-Marine.

george wrote on Oct 14, 2008 8:34 AM:Arson. There was a suspicious fire last year in the same area and arson was suspected. They could never prove it. You don't think the Marine Corps would admit to that do you? ... Every year, when the Santa Ana blows, fires mysteriously start. I don't think we had any lighting did we? The BASE doesn't train with live fire in that area.....

been there done that wrote on Oct 14, 2008 9:27 AM:Oh the ignorance of so many "non-military" individuals here. Some of you really need better sources before starting rumors.

In the many years I lived on and around the base there were several fires started by several different means. Yes live fire training has caused a few fires; however, range control does follow the guide lines and red flag warnings. If there is a red flag warning they will not allowing firing on the ranges. There are no functioning ranges in that area as many have posted. There is quite a few stretches of roads on Vendergrift through out the base which are heavily brushy areas. Fires have started from people throwing cigarettes out of their windows, cars back firing, sparks, etc.

This community surronding the base can feel safe in knowing is the military and fire personnel have always kept the fire breaks maintained to ensure the saftey of residences and building on and off base. I can not remember ever hearing of a house or structure outside the perimiter being destroyed by a fire from base. Can anyone?

The fire out break last year was horrible. If you remember Fallbrook was almost destroyed. The city would not allow military planes to come and drop water because the contract they have with civilian contracts. Several people lost their homes (many of them being close friends) and some lost their lives but when those fires spread to Camp Pendleton and approached the homes on and arround the base not only were the people evacuated in a timely manner, the fires were under control very quickly thanks to our wonderful pilots. The military pilots continued flying when the civilian contractors said the conditions were too dangerous. They saved the military structures, homes, lives, etc., not to mentions the lives of the hundreds of civilians and their livestock which were evacuated to the base. I am sure they would have done the same amazing work if they would have been allowed to help the civilian community. Remember how close it came to the power plant? They stopped that dead in its tracks as well. How about looking at how money makes the world go round and the politics of the community leaders instead of trying to point the blame at the military.

For those of you that have homes on the out skirts of the base, read your contracts, it speaks about the dangers of living by a military installation, to include fires, noise from aircraft and training, etc. If you didn't read it, or didn't have the common sense to ask, oh well, guess you'll learn to read or research everything through before your next large purchase won't you.

And for those individuals such as Kitty and Barney...keep talking I find your doltishness quite amusing. For those of you serving over seas or not in the are who are worried about your loved ones the Camp Pendleton website has been keeping information posted as it comes in.

The ignorance is amusing wrote on Oct 14, 2008 10:11 AM:As some have suggested...there are no active ranges in the San Luis Rey area and hasn't been for years. Range control follows all warnings and will not allow a range to go live if there is a high fire danger. And besides majority of the Marines were on a "96" for those of you that do not know, it means they have been off work until today (96 hours off). I lived on and around the base for several years, does anyone ever remember hearing of homes being destoryed by fires started at Camp Pen? I sure do not.

The military and fire personnel spend alot of their time maintaining fire breaks which have protected homes and building in the past. The fires last year were alot more severe than this outbreak so far. Rememebr Fallbrook being almost destroyed and the military not being allowed to come and help?

Remember the fire on a direct path towards the power plant? If it wasn't for the military and the Camp Pendleton fire personnel that could have been a horrible disaster.

Instead of blaming the military why don't you look at the contract with CalFire and agencies of that nature. Last year the military was not allowed to help because of these contracts, and several people and friends lost their homes and lives. CalFire said the conditions were too dangerous for their pilots to fly...but when the fires broke out on base our pilots had no problems....they ran several aircraft constantly until the fires were contained saving the lives of not just the military families but the lives of the civilians evacuated to the base and their livestock. Becuase after all our military pilots are trained to fly not just through smoke, but while getting shot at, I am pretty sure they can handle flying through smoke in California. Doesn't it make you feel safe to know money on a contract is more important than the life of you and yours?

Fires are a force of nature and can be caused by several factors. For those who have not been on the base Vandergrift has several areas of roadway close to brush which has caught fire from people throwing out cigarettes, cars back firing, sparks, etc.

There are several areas in LA on fire at the moment and no military bases there. Hmmmmm. When buying a home by the base there is a clause speaking about the "dangers" living by a military installation, to include possibility of fires, noise from air traffic and training, etc. If your not reading your contracts or researching an area before you buy, guess its your loss.

For the individuals here who are worried about finding out info on their loved ones the Camp Pendleton website has been doing their best to keep information up to date. As of this morning there have been no reports of injuries or structure losses. Be safe and Semper Fi.

curious wrote on Oct 14, 2008 1:00 PM:to Safety First
You wrote "Why is it that every year they start wild fires on their base causing wide spread damage and threatening the safety of residents?"
I am wondering what you mean, wide spread damage? All the fires I know of that have started on the base in the last 15 years or so have burned brush, I cannot recall anyone's civilian house ever being burned down, and am desperately trying to remember an incident with civilians being injured/killed.... please post the links to the information on this widespread damage so we can all take a look. Thanks! If you don't have the facts to back up your statements perhaps you shouldn't make them!

Winterwarm resident wrote on Oct 14, 2008 1:19 PM:Dear "been there done that",

As a Fallbrook resident, I agree that very few people in this town really understand what living near a base entails. I can put up with the noise of the helicopters and the ammo tests and do that on a regular basis. It does not bother me. However, I do think we have a right to know what the cause of the fire is and before we jump to conclusions, let's just wait and see.

Several people posted that there were no training exercises due to the holiday weekend, but I distinctly remember reading that there were planned exercises on the range and that they were scheduled to cease Sunday, which as far as we could tell ( by earshot), they did.

Finally, to speak to your comment:

"For those of you that have homes on the out skirts of the base, read your contracts, it speaks about the dangers of living by a military installation, to include fires, noise from aircraft and training, etc. If you didn't read it, or didn't have the common sense to ask, oh well, guess you'll learn to read or research everything through before your next large purchase won't you."

Is it really necessary to stoop down to the level of a few who irritated you?

We're not all idiots here. It's not like our realtor briefed us on the rules and regs of living near a base. We bought our "large purchase" as you call it from a retired Marine who was happy to share.

No need to be so self-righteous.

any new updates wrote on Oct 14, 2008 2:02 PM:Is the fire contained? Is it out?

How did it start wrote on Oct 14, 2008 4:25 PM:I don't know... and right now fire and military officials aren't saying! Remeber folks, part of protecting your country certainly includes avoiding placing us in harms way IN THE FIRST PLACE!

Jesus of Nazereth wrote on Oct 14, 2008 5:37 PM:Please, both military defenders and the questioners, stop trolling! Pay no attention to the essay long trolls no one will even bother to read, and stick to the issue-the FIRE. Oh, and is the fire gone yet?

Andrew wrote on Oct 14, 2008 7:07 PM:What are our marines doing? With fires, many of them major, every year they are not good neighbors. It may be OK if training demands measures that lead to conflagrations but, if so, they need to find another site much more remote from human dwellings.

Insurance Agent Marines Wife wrote on Oct 14, 2008 9:08 PM:As an Insurance Agent in the North County and a Marines Wife stationed here in Camp Pendleton it is a shame to hear many of you trying to point fingers at the base for starting the fire. Col. Seaton has made it clear NO live fire or training was being conducted in that area and they will investigate. Why not also blame the 4s Ranch, San Fernando, Campo, Penasquitos fire all on them too. As an Inaurance agent we at the agency have been talking about this since early this summer. Fires can start and we knew it was coming based on how dry this year has been, barely any rain once again etc. I am the agent who is working hard to remarket and replace all the civilian homeowners accounts that have been set up for non-renewal since the last 2 wild fires and yet many of you complain when I come out to look at your properties and request a bigger fire line..hum. Many of you complain when I tell you you're underinsured and I suggest what we should increase your coverage or add a needed endorsement, but no the premium is will increase and you refuse but when fire breaks it is then that the agency receives the call to endorse the account when it is too late and I can't due to carrier suspenions.

Honeslty you all don't make sense and yet you want to blame the base just like the civilians who complain about the noise on base, but yet decided to buy a home close to or near the gates when the base was there long before your home ownership. Interesting!

Instead of pointing fingers wait until all the investigators have completed what needs to be done once the flames have been put out.

back gate civilian wrote on Oct 14, 2008 9:55 PM:I agree with pretty much everything "ignorance" has said. When we moved here, we were very aware that the base was so close. I don't mind any of the small things others complain about - the noise from training, helicopters and the like. My husband is also a civilian. We moved near the back gate because of the beautiful drive northeast on Douglas when we drive home every day. Sometimes we see horses on the hills in back of Pilgrim Estates and the wetlands are very beautiful. We have many neighbors who are marines and have only had positive interactions with all of them. Our house has a lot of privacy and a huge backyard. It is quiet and gives me the sense of living near the country. We