Arson Suspected: Arrest Made In 50-Acre Camp Pendleton, Oceanside Fire

OCEANSIDE, CA – A man was arrested on suspicion of arson Tuesday after a brush fire blackened 50 acres along the Camp Pendleton-Oceanside border, according to the Oceanside Fire Department.

"A suspect was detained for questioning and although the cause of the fire is still being investigated, an arson fire appears likely," said Oceanside Fire Battalion Chief Greg deAvila.

The brush fire broke out about 1:15 p.m. along the border between Camp Pendleton and Oceanside, according to fire officials. Although officials initially reported that the blaze started on the base, deAvila told Patch that investigators later determined that the fire first sparked in the city of Oceanside.

By 3:30 p.m., the fire had spread to 50 acres between the Marine Memorial Golf Course and Oceanside Municipal Golf Course, with flames reaching the Oceanside golf course, deAvila said.

No evacuations were issued during the fire, but deAvila said a voluntary evacuation site was established at the community center at Pilgrim Creek Estates, a mobile home park for retirees in Oceanside.

"Most residents during the fire sheltered in their houses and didn’t want to leave," deAvila said.

Firefighters with Cal Fire and other area agencies supported the Camp Pendleton and Oceanside fire departments in battling the blaze by ground and air.

Authorities issued an advisory just after 4 p.m. instructing drone operators to cease all activity in the area. According to the advisory, aerial support for the fire was being hampered by drone use.

"Once the condition was cleared, helicopters using water drops slowed the forward progress of the fire moving toward the Pilgrim Creek community," deAvila said. "This allowed for crews working around the perimeter to safely bring the fire under control."

Douglas Drive was closed for several hours from North River Road and Vandegrift Boulevard in northern Oceanside due to the active fire. All roads were reopened just before 7 p.m.

By 6:30 p.m., the fire was 60 percent contained, with crews mopping up the area. As of 6:45 a.m. Wednesday, deAvila said the fire was 90 percent contained. He expects the fire to be fully contained by mid-day.

No buildings were burned during the fire. One firefighter sustained minor injuries and was transported to Tri-City Medical center for treatment.

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50-Acre Brush Fire Burns On Camp Pendleton

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